AD/B737/327 SSI Damage Tolerance Rating (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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/B737/327 SSI Damage Tolerance Rating 7/2008

Applicability:	All Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft.
Requirement:	Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2008-09-13 Amdt 39-15494.
Compliance:	As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 3 July 2008.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 July 2008.
Background:	The FAA received reports of incidents of fatigue cracking in transport category aircraft that are approaching or have exceeded their design service objective.  This Directive requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program to include inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating for each structural significant item (SSI), doing repetitive inspections to detect cracks of all SSIs, and repairing cracked structure.  The actions required by this Directive are necessary to maintain the continued structural integrity of the entire fleet of Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 May 2008