Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17212 · Flight controls
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of elevator vibration and bearing swage failures. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for any discrepancies (such as a gap or a loose spacer) of the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control mechanism, and replacement if necessary; and, for other airplanes, contacting the FAA for inspection or repair instructions and doing the work specified in those instructions. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies in the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control mechanism, which could result in elevator and tab vibration. Consequent structural failure of the elevator or horizontal stabilizer could result in loss of structural integrity and loss of airplane control.
For Group 1 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012: Within 1,500 flight cycles or 2,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the left and right elevator tab control mechanisms, and repair or replace as applicable, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
For Group 2 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012: Within 1,500 flight cycles or 2,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection for any discrepancies of the inboard and outboard aft attach lugs of the left and right elevator tab control mechanisms, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012. Repeat the detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles or 2,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first.
If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, replace the discrepant elevator tab control mechanism with a non-discrepant mechanism by doing the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD.
(1) Do a detailed inspection for discrepancies of the replacement elevator tab control mechanism; and, if no discrepancy is found, before further flight, install the replacement elevator tab control mechanism; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1302, dated April 24, 2012. If any discrepancy is found in that mechanism, then that mechanism may not be installed.
(2) Repeat the inspection on the installed replacement elevator tab control mechanism in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD.
Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of the initial inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD to Boeing Commercial Airlines Group, Attention: Manager, Airline Support, email: rse.boecom@boeing.com; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD. The report must include the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of landings and flight hours on the airplane.
(1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an elevator tab control mechanism assembly, part number 65-79425-2, -3, -4, -5, or -6, on any airplane, unless the assembly has been inspected in accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD both before and after installation.
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
