Ad/B737/354 Amdt 1 - Fwd Cargo Compartment Frames and Frame Reinforcements (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/B737/354 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/B737/354 Amdt 1 Fwd Cargo Compartment Frames
and Frame Reinforcements 12/2009 DM

Applicability:

Model 737-300, -400 and -500 series aircraft, as identified on Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1279 original issue, or later FAA approved revision.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2009-02-06 R1 Amdt 39-16015.

Note:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1279 dated 18 December 2007 refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document.

This Amendment becomes effective on 23 September 2009.

Background:

The FAA received reports of cracking in the forward cargo compartment frames, or in the frame and frame reinforcements.  Such cracking could reduce the capability of the frames to sustain limit loads, and result in cracking in the fuselage skin and potential rapid depressurisation of the aircraft.

This amendment has been issued because the FAA has issued an amendment to Airworthiness Directive 2009-02-06 to clarify the compliance requirements contained in the original issue of the FAA Airworthiness Directive.

The original issue of this AD was effective on 7 May 2009.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

15 September 2009