AD/B737/210 Amdt 1 Elevator and Elevator Tab Assembly (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/210 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B737/210 Amdt 1 Elevator and Elevator Tab Assembly 5/2005

Applicability:

Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 1174.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2003-03-22 Amdt 39-13047.

Paragraph (a)(2) of the Requirement document requires revising the Limitations section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statement:

“In flight, do not extend the speedbrake lever beyond the FLIGHT detent”.

This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive in the AFM.

Note:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 737-11A1109 and 737-55A1080 refer.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 17 April 2003.

Note:  Compliance with paragraph (b) of FAA AD 2003-03-22 is considered terminating action for CASA AD/B737/185 Amdt 2.

This Amendment becomes effective on 12 May 2005.

Background:

This Directive requires installing a speedbrake limitation placards in the flight compartment, and revising the Limitations Section of the AFM.  For certain aircraft, this Directive requires modifying the elevator and elevator tab assembly.  This action is necessary to prevent severe vibration of the elevator and elevator tab assembly, which could result in severe damage to the horizontal stabiliser and possible loss of the elevator tab.

Amendment 1 is issued to identify that compliance with paragraph (b) of FAA AD 2003-03-22 is considered terminating action for CASA AD/B737/185 Amdt 2.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

31 March 2005