Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18972 · Fuselage
The Boeing Company Airplanes
(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/EBD1CEC7B301293E86257CB30045557A?OpenDocument&Highlight=st01219se) 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 14 CFR 39.17.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the lower skin at the skin lap splice lower fastener row is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the skin lap splice at the lower fastener row, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017: Do external eddy current inspections at stringer S-14 on the left and right sides of the airplane (S-14L and S-14R) for any crack in the skin lap splice at the lower fastener row, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017.
If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, repair before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action and specifies that action as “RC” (Required for Compliance), this AD requires repair as specified in this paragraph.
(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017, 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) The Condition column of Table 1 and Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1365, dated January 23, 2017, refers to total flight cycles “at the original issue date of this service bulletin.” This AD, however, applies to the airplanes with the specified total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD.
