AD/B737/332 Fwd Entry and Fwd Galley Service Doorway Upper and Lower Hinge Cutout (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/B737/332 Fwd Entry and Fwd Galley Service Doorway Upper and Lower Hinge Cutout 8/2008

Applicability:

Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2008-11-04 Amdt 39-15526.

Corrective actions (repairs and/or repeat inspections) that are approved on an FAA form 8100-9 and acceptable as an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) to FAA AD 2008-11-04 paragraph (j), may be carried out without the need to obtain an exclusion from CASA from this Airworthiness Directive.

Note:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1200 original issue, or later FAA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
31 July 2008.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 July 2008.

Background:

The FAA received multiple reports of cracks found in the skin, bearstrap, and/or frame outer chord in the hinge cutout areas of the forward entry and forward galley service doorways.  Such cracking, unless detected and corrected, could result in rapid decompression of the aircraft.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 June 2008