Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16530 · Wings
The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 Series Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, Revision 2, dated February 2, 2010.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires sealing the fasteners on the front and rear spars inside the main fuel tank and on the lower panel of the center fuel tank, inspecting the wire bundle support installation in the equipment cooling system bays to identify the type of clamp installed and determine whether the Teflon sleeve is installed, and doing related corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing at certain fuel tank fasteners in the event of a lightning strike or fault current event, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Seal the fasteners on the front and rear spars inside the main fuel tank and on the lower panel of the center fuel tank, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, Revision 2, dated February 2, 2010.
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform a general visual inspection of the wire bundle support installation in the equipment cooling system bays to identify the type of clamp installed, and determine whether the Teflon sleeve is installed. Do these actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, Revision 2, dated February 2, 2010. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, Revision 2, dated February 2, 2010. Certain Model 737-800 and 737-900 airplanes may have an additional clamp location at stringer 10 that is required to perform the steps of Figures 6, 7, 10, and 11 of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, Revision 2, dated February 2, 2010, in the environmental control systems (ECS) bay.
(i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD using the group assignments with the line numbers in the table in paragraph 1.A., “Effectivity,” and in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, dated January 24, 2007; or Revision 1, dated September 25, 2008; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.
