Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18125 · Fuselage
The Boeing Company Airplanes
(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/082838ee177dbf62862576a4005cdfc0/$FILE/ST01219SE.pdf) does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. For airplanes on which STC ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/ebd1cec7b301293e86257cb30045557a/$FILE/ST01219SE.pdf) is installed, therefore, a “change in product” alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, 737-200, 737-200C, 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway and the upper corners of the airstairs cutout. This AD requires inspections for cracking of the forward entry doorway and airstairs cutout, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the lower corners of the forward entry door cutout and the upper corners of the airstairs cutout, which could progress and result in an inability to maintain cabin pressurization.
(1) For airplane Groups 1 through 4, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014: Except as required by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in table 1, 2, or 3, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737 53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, do the inspections specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), (g)(1)(iii), and (g)(1)(iv) of this AD for cracks at the forward entry doorway and airstairs cutout, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with Parts 1 and 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Repeat the inspections, thereafter, at the interval specified in table 1, 2, or 3, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Any repair done in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD for the repaired area only.
(i) An external detailed and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of the skin.
(ii) An internal detailed and HFEC inspection of exposed parts of the bear strap.
(iii) A detailed and HFEC inspection along the edge of the cutout in the skin, skin doubler, and bear strap.
(iv) An external low frequency eddy current inspection (LFEC) of the skin and bearstrap.
(2) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes that have been repaired using any of the service information identified in paragraph (g)(2)(i), (g)(2)(ii), or (g)(2)(iii) of this AD, the inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD are not required for the repaired area.
(i) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 1, dated October 25, 1985.
(ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 2, dated March 25, 1988.
(iii) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 3, dated December 7, 1989.
(3) For Groups 3 and 4 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014: Accomplishment of a repair specified in Part 3, “Permanent Repair,” of Paragraph 3.B., “Work Instructions,” of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD for the repaired area(s) only.
(4) For Group 5 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014: Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the forward entry door cutout and airstairs cutout for cracks, and repair any crack, using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
For Groups 1 and 2, Configurations 5 and 6 airplanes; and Groups 3 and 4 airplanes; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014: Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, accomplishment of the preventive modification in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
The post-modification and post-repair repetitive inspections specified in table 4 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, are not required by this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: The inspections specified in table 4 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, 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 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, are not required by this AD.
(1) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, specifies a compliance time “after the Revision 4 date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1083, Revision 5, dated July 22, 2014, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions, this AD requires repair before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
