Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17503 · Fuel
the Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, and -300 series airplanes, certified in any category, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28-1286, dated January 10, 2012.
We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 87-02-07, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100 and -200 series airplanes. AD 87-02-07 required replacement of certain underwing fuel tank access covers with stronger, fire-resistant covers. This new AD also requires inspecting fuel tank access doors to determine that impact-resistant access doors are installed in the correct locations, inspecting application of stencils and index markers of impact- resistant access doors, doing corrective actions if necessary, revising the maintenance program, and adding airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of standard access doors installed where impact-resistant access doors are required, and reports of impact-resistant doors without stencils. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object penetration of the wing tank, which could lead to a fuel leak near ignition sources (engine, hot brakes), consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire.
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the left-wing and right-wing fuel tank access doors to determine that impact-resistant access doors are installed in the correct locations, and an inspection for proper application of stencils and index markers of impact-resistant access doors; and do all applicable corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28-1286, dated January 10, 2012. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program to incorporate Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) 57-AWL-01, Impact-Resistant Fuel Access Doors, as specified in Section C., Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)—Fuel Systems, of the Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-38278-CMR, Revision August 2012.
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
