Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19084 · 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, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016.
(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 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of skin doublers that disbonded from their skin panels. This AD requires repetitive inspections of fuselage skin panels, and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do all applicable actions identified as required for compliance (“RC”) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016. Do the actions at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016.
(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016, uses the phrase “after the original issue of this service bulletin,” for purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD, the phrase “after the effective date of this AD” must be used.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016, specifies contacting Boeing for instructions, and specifies that action as “RC” (Required for Compliance): This AD requires using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(3) For replaced skin panels identified in table 9 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016, on which the one-time internal inspection specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1179, Revision 2, dated October 25, 2001, has not been done: The compliance time for accomplishment of the actions specified in Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016, is at the latest of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i), (h)(3)(ii), and (h)(3)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Within 50,000 flight cycles after the skin panel replacement.
(ii) Within 20,000 flight cycles after July 14, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-14-16).
(iii) Within 4,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
(1) Accomplishment of any skin panel replacement using a skin panel manufactured on or after April 1, 1997, terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that skin panel only, provided the replacement is done as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(2) Accomplishment of any skin panel replacement done before the effective date of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that skin panel only, provided the conditions specified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (i)(2)(ii) of this AD are met.
(i) The replacement was done using a skin panel manufactured on or after April 1, 1997.
(ii) The replacement was done using an FAA-approved method.
(3) Installation of an FAA-approved reinforced repair doubler (except disbond repair) before the effective date of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the repaired location only.
(1) Accomplishment of the initial inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates all requirements of AD 2003-14-06.
(2) Accomplishment of any skin panel replacement with a skin panel manufactured on or after April 1, 1997, as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1349, dated August 23, 2016, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, terminates all requirements of AD 2003-14-06 for that skin panel only.
