AD/B737/316 Amdt 1 Floor Beam Web (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/B737/316 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/B737/316 Amdt 1 Floor Beam Web 1/2009 DM

Applicability:

Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -300, -400 and -500 series aircraft; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1296, dated 13 June 2007.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2008-05-06, Amdt 39-15400.

Note:  Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1296, dated 13 June 2007, or later revision approved as an FAA AMOC, refers.

Corrective actions (repairs or repeat inspections) that are approved on an FAA form 8100-9 and approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office or delegate as an Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) to the requirements of FAA AD 2008-05-06, may be carried out without the need to obtain an exclusion from CASA from this airworthiness directive.

Compliance:

As specified in the requirement document with an effective date of 8 April 2008.

This Amendment becomes effective on 17 November 2008.

Background:

This AD results from several reports of cracks in the centre wing box longitudinal floor beams, upper chord and lower chord.  This AD mandates inspections to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper and lower chords and web of the longitudinal floor beams, which could result in the loss of cabin pressure.

This amendment allows the use of an FAA approved Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) to the requirements of this AD, without the need for the operator to continually apply for exclusions for the same type of repair.  There are no other changes to the technical requirements of this AD.

The original issue of this AD became effective on 8 April 2008.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 November 2008