Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19096 · Fuselage
The Boeing Company Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-25-05. Comply with the one in force.
(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 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 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 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the fuselage crown skin panels are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires repetitive inspections, replacement, and applicable on-condition actions for certain fuselage crown skin panels. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, do all applicable actions identified as “RC” (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017.
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD, the phrase “the effective date of this AD” may be substituted for “the original issue date of this service bulletin,” as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, specifies contacting Boeing, and specifies that action as RC: This AD requires using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(3) Part 7 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, specifies post-modification airworthiness limitation inspections in compliance with 14 CFR 25.571(a)(3) at the modified locations to support compliance with 14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2). Although Part 7 is identified as RC, this AD does not require accomplishment of Part 7. As airworthiness limitations, these inspections are required by maintenance and operational rules. It is therefore unnecessary to mandate them in this AD. Deviations from these inspections require FAA approval, but do not require approval of an alternative method of compliance.
(1) Replacement of a skin panel, in accordance with Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, terminates the actions specified in Parts 1, 4, and 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, for that replaced skin panel only. To be acceptable as terminating action, the replacement may not be done prior to the applicable time specified in Table 4 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017.
(2) Completion of a structural repair manual repair to repair cracking, in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, for that repair location only.
(3) Completion of a “Category C repair” to repair cracking, in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, terminates the repetitive inspections specified in Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, for that repair location only.
(4) Completion of a “Change Category C Repair to SB Repair,” in accordance with Part 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, terminates the inspections specified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, dated April 27, 2017, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, for that repair location only.
