Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18999 · Wings
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer's review that showed that the fuel tank access door at a certain wing buttock line did not have an engineered ground path with the mating wing structure. This AD requires replacing the fuel tank access door, doing a check of the electrical bond, doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the maintenance or inspection program by incorporating an airworthiness limitation (AWL). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Install a new door assembly, do a check of the electrical bond, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1320, dated October 7, 2016, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
Prior to or concurrently with accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate Airworthiness Limitation 28-AWL-30, “Upper Wing Fuel Tank Access Panel—Lightning Protection Electrical Design Features,” as specified in Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) D6-38278-CMR, dated May 2016.
Where Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1320, dated October 7, 2016, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions, and specifies that action as Required for Compliance (RC), this AD requires repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
