Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19624 · 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 Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 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 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that frame web and frame integral inboard chord cracking is occurring on multiple airplanes in multiple locations below the passenger floor. This AD requires repetitive detailed, general visual, and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the section 43 lower lobe frames at certain stations; an inspection to determine if certain repairs are installed; and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018: Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the airplane and do all applicable on-condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes identified as Groups 2 through 6 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018: Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018, do all applicable actions identified as “RC” (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018.
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018, uses the phrase “the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires using “the effective date of this AD,” except where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018, uses the phrase “the original issue date of this service bulletin” in a note or flag note.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1361, dated July 17, 2018, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions or contacting Boeing for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing the repair, or the alternative inspections and applicable on-condition actions, using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
