Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21718 · Auto flight
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-21- 08, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, - 700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. AD 2012-21-08 required inspecting for part numbers of the operational program software (OPS) of the flight control computers (FCCs) and installing and testing an updated version of the FCC OPS. This AD was prompted by reports that during autopilot coupled instrument landing system (ILS) approaches, the airplane did not capture or track the glideslope correctly. This AD retains the requirement to inspect for part numbers of the OPS of the FCCs, and adds a new requirement to update the version of the FCC OPS if necessary. This AD also expands the applicability to include The Boeing Company Model 737-900ER series airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2012-21-08, with revised paragraph references and removed terminating action. For The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category; delivered with the Rockwell Collins Enhanced Digital Flight Control System (EDFCS), as identified in the variable number table in Section 1.A.1., Effectivity, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010, and not defined by the “Group 1” description in Section 1.A. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010: Within 3 months after November 27, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-21-08), inspect to determine the part number of the operational program software (OPS) of the flight control computers (FCCs), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010, and install the software as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, or verify that the software is installed as specified by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For any OPS having a part number identified in table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010: Before further flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii), as applicable.
(i) Install software identified in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010.
(ii) Install software identified in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224, dated May 18, 2012, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010.
(2) For any OPS having a part number identified in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1211, dated April 13, 2010; or in table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224, dated May 18, 2012: No further action is required by this paragraph.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2012-21-08, with revised paragraph references. Installing a version of the FCC OPS approved after May 18, 2012 (the issue date of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1224) terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, provided that the conditions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD are met.
(1) The version of the FCC OPS must be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA; the Manager, Boeing Aviation Safety Oversight Office (BASOO), FAA; or The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). If approved by the ODA, the approval must include the ODA-authorized signature.
(2) The installation must be done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA; the Manager, BASOO, FAA; or The Boeing Company ODA. If approved by the ODA, the approval must include the ODA-authorized signature.
For all airplanes: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to determine the FCC OPS vendor and version installed on FCC A and FCC B. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the FCC OPS vendor and version can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) For airplanes equipped with Rockwell Collins FCCs with FCC OPS version P8.0 or P9.0 software: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1322 RB, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021.
Note 1 to paragraph (j)(1): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-22A1322, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-22A1322 RB, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2021.
(2) For airplanes not equipped with Rockwell Collins FCCs with FCC OPS version P8.0 or P9.0 software: No further action is required by this paragraph.
For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install Rockwell Collins FCC OPS software version P1.1, P2.0, P3.0, P8.0, or P9.0, on any airplane.
