Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17832 · Fuselage
the Boeing Company Airplanes
(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, without an airstair door cutout, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/be866b732f6cf31086257b9700692796/$FILE/ST01219SE.pdf) does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is installed, a “change in product” alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of section 39.17 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.17).
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the skin at the lower aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway, which could lead to crack progression and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.
Except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013, do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013: Except as provided by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, inspect the lower corners of the forward entry doorway for cracking, using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(2) For Group 2 and Group 3 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013: At the forward entry doorway lower forward and aft corners, as applicable, do an internal detailed inspection of the skin assembly and bear strap, an internal high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the bear strap, and external detailed and HFEC inspections of the skin assembly for cracking, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013. If no cracking is found during any inspection required by this paragraph: Except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, repeat the applicable inspections at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013.
(1) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: For Group 3 airplanes with cracking at the aft lower corner of the forward entry doorway, before further flight, repair in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013. Accomplishment of this repair terminates the initial and repetitive inspections required by this AD in the area common to the repair for Group 3 airplanes only. For all other cracking found, before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(2) Installation of a repair approved in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspections required by this AD for the repaired area only.
(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013, specifies a compliance time “after the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1329, dated June 4, 2013, specifies contacting Boeing for information on certain inspections and repairs, this AD requires that those actions be done by using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
