AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/153 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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/B737/153
Amdt 1
Elevator Tab Control Rod Jam Nut 13/2003
Applicability: Boeing 737-600, -700, and -800 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 788 inclusive,
790 through 814 inclusive, 816, 819, 821 and 823.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the requirements of FAA AD 2001-09-51.
Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1245, dated 23 April 2001 refers. While this Alert Service Bulletin does not specify that Model 737-700C series aircraft are subject to the actions in the Alert Service Bulletin, the list of affected line numbers in the applicability of this AD includes the line numbers of certain 737-700C series aircraft.
Compliance: As specified in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 30 April 2001. The initial inspection is to be carried out within 10 days after 30 April 2001.
Compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue
This Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.
Background: The FAA received reports that operators had found problems with the elevator tab control rods on certain model 737-700 and -800 series aircraft. One operator found that jam nuts had been installed improperly, and others found damage attributed to inadequately torqued jam nuts. Damage to the tab control rod could cause flutter of the tab, and subsequent loss of controllability of the aircraft.
As 737-600 and -700C aircraft have the same elevator tab control rods as the 737-700 and -800 aircraft, -600 and -700C models may be subject to the same unsafe condition suffered by -700 and -800 models.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/153 Amdt 1 (continued)
Amendment 1 is issued to introduce terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 April 2001.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/153 Amendment 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2003, was enacted to address safety concerns regarding the elevator tab control rods on specific Boeing 737 series aircraft. This legislation was introduced in response to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of issues with improperly installed and inadequately torqued jam nuts on the elevator tab control rods of certain 737-700 and -800 series aircraft, which could lead to damage, flutter of the tab, and loss of controllability. Given the similarity in design between the 737-600, -700C, -700, and -800 models, the AD also applies to these aircraft to mitigate the risk of the same unsafe condition. The AD mandates that corrective action be taken in accordance with FAA AD 2001-09-51, with specific compliance timelines and conditions, to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft fleet.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/153 Amdt 1 issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 applies specifically to Boeing 737-600, -700, and -800 series aeroplanes, within certain line number ranges. This directive mandates that certain actions be taken to address a safety issue concerning the elevator tab control rod jam nut, which could lead to potential loss of controllability of the aircraft if not properly addressed. Compliance with FAA AD 2001-09-51 is required, with an initial inspection to be conducted within ten days of 30 April 2001. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument revokes the previous AD/B737/153 and amends it to include terminating action for AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22). The changes introduced by this amendment became effective on 25 December 2003.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) mandates specific actions to be taken on certain Boeing 737 series aircraft to rectify an unsafe condition. Section 13 of the AD specifies that the action required pertains to the elevator tab control rod jam nuts on Boeing 737-600, -700, and -800 series aircraft, including specific line numbers within these series (subsection 13). The required action aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 2001-09-51, as noted in section 14. This action aims to address issues such as improperly installed or inadequately torqued jam nuts that could lead to damage and compromise aircraft controllability.
The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators to conduct inspections and make necessary repairs or replacements of the elevator tab control rod jam nuts as per the specified requirements and instructions in section 14. Operators must ensure that the initial inspection is completed within 10 days after 30 April 2001, as outlined in section 15. Compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) is considered to fulfill the requirements of this directive, as mentioned in section 16. The AD applies to specific line numbers of the affected aircraft models, necessitating adherence to the provided instructions to maintain airworthiness.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD could result in serious safety risks, potentially leading to flutter of the elevator tab and loss of control over the aircraft. While the AD does not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches of CASR 1998 can result in severe consequences, including fines and potential criminal charges. The seriousness of non-compliance underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety of air travel and the integrity of the aviation industry.