Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17586 · Fuselage
the Boeing Company Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2017-02-10. Comply with the one in force.
(1) 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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/408E012E008616A7862578880060456C?OpenDocument&Highlight=st00830se) does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST00830SE is installed, a “change in product” alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17. For all other AMOC requests, the operator must request approval for an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found in the skin at body station (STA) 540 just below stringer S-22L on a Model 737-700 series airplane. This AD requires repetitive detailed and high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the skin around the eight fasteners common to the ends of the STA 540 bulkhead chords between stringers S-22 and S-23, left and right sides; and corrective actions and preventive modification if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the skin, which can result in rapid decompression of the cabin.
(1) Except as required by paragraphs (g)(2), (i)(2), and (i)(3) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E. “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013: Do detailed and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the skin for cracking in the area around the eight fasteners securing the STA 540 bulkhead chords between stringers S-22 and S-23, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, except as required by paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(4) of this AD. If no cracking is found, repeat the detailed and HFEC inspections at the intervals specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, except as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, until the optional preventive modification specified in paragraph (h) of this AD is done. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight.
(2) For airplanes that have incorporated Boeing Business Jet Lower Cabin Altitude Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01697SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/0812969A86AF879B8625766400600105?OpenDocument&Highlight=st01697se) (6,500 feet maximum cabin altitude in lieu of 8,000 feet), the flight-cycle related compliance times are different from those specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013. All initial compliance times specified in total flight cycles or flight cycles must be reduced to half of those specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013. All repetitive interval compliance times specified in flight cycles must be reduced to one-quarter of those specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013.
Accomplishing the preventive modification, including an HFEC inspection for cracking of the skin and STA 540 bulkhead chords, and all applicable repairs, in accordance with paragraph 3.B, Part 2 or Part 4 (left side), and Part 3 or Part 5 (right side), of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, terminates the inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for the side on which the modification is done, except as required by paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(4) of this AD.
(1) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by this AD, and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, specifies to do the action after the original issue date of that service bulletin, this AD requires the compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where the Condition column of table 1 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, specifies a condition as of the original issue date of that service bulletin, this AD specifies the condition as of the effective date of this AD.
(4) The access and restoration instructions identified in the Work Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, are not required by this AD. Operators may perform those actions in accordance with approved maintenance procedures.
The post-repair inspections, specified in table 2 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, are not required by this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (j) of this AD: The damage tolerance inspections specified in table 2 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, may be used in support of compliance with Section 121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 14 CFR 129.109(b)(2)). The corresponding actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1294, Revision 1, dated June 14, 2013, are not required by this AD.
