Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22961 · Exhaust
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by two engine fan blade- out (FBO) events that resulted in the separation of engine inlet cowl and fan cowl parts from the airplane damaging the fuselage, which caused loss of pressurization and subsequent emergency descent. The FBO events also resulted in cracks in the primary exhaust nozzle, potentially resulting in the departure of the primary exhaust nozzle and damaging a stabilizer or striking the fuselage and window. This AD requires an inspection or maintenance records check to determine if the primary exhaust nozzle has an affected part number and, for affected primary exhaust nozzles, an installation of bridge brackets onto the primary exhaust nozzle, or as an option, an installation of a serviceable primary exhaust nozzle. This AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-78-1106, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024.
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024, refer to the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where System Airworthiness Limitation No. 4, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 737-78-1106 RB, Revision 1, dated May 23, 2024, requires incorporation of solutions to address potential engine nacelle maintenance errors, solutions consist of a re-designed fan cowl latch and keeper and application of high visibility paint on the interior of the integrated drive generator (IDG) door.
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions may be used unless the actions are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
