AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/154 Amdt 1 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/B737/154
Amdt 2
Elevator Tab 13/2003
Applicability: All Model 737-600, -700, -800, and -700C series aircraft, with line numbers up to and including line number 1174.
Note 1: The FAA has approved an alternate method of compliance to the inspection and repair requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of FAA AD 2001-08-09 for aircraft line numbers 1175 and subsequent (refer FAA Letter 120S-02-671).
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-08-09 Amdt 39-12186.
Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1072 Revision 1 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document for the initial and repetitive inspection requirements, with a revised effective date of 9 May 2001. Compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
The compliance time remains unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.
Background: The FAA received numerous reports of excessive in-flight vibrations of the elevator tab on Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series aircraft. Elevator tab vibrations can result from wear to the elevator tab hinges and components of the elevator tab control system. Increased exposure to spoiler buffeting can cause premature wear to the elevator tab components and such wear can lead to loss of the elevator tab and reduced controllability of the aircraft.
Amendment 1 was issued in response to the approval of the FAA of an alternate method of compliance for aircraft with the elevator and tab redesign, which was implemented on the production line at Line Number 1175.
Amendment 2 is issued to introduce terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/154 Amdt 2 (continued)
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 October 2002. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 May 2002.
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 Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/154 Amendment 2 in 2003 to address safety concerns related to excessive in-flight vibrations of the elevator tab on Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Model 737-600, -700, -800, and -700C series aircraft, with line numbers up to and including line number 1174, and aims to correct the unsafe condition identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The directive mandates action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-08-09 Amendment 39-12186 and provides an alternate method of compliance for aircraft with the elevator and tab redesign, implemented on the production line at Line Number 1175. The policy objective is to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by addressing the identified issues with elevator tab vibrations.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/154 Amdt 2 pertains to all Boeing 737-600, -700, -800, and -700C series aircraft with line numbers up to and including 1174. This directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The AD mandates specific actions necessary to correct an unsafe condition related to elevator tab vibrations, which can result from wear on the elevator tab hinges and components of the elevator tab control system. The actions must be carried out in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-08-09 Amdt 39-12186, with compliance details specified in the requirement document. This AD is effective from 25 December 2003, but it includes a revised effective date of 9 May 2001 for the initial and repetitive inspection requirements. Notably, compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) serves as terminating action for the requirements of this directive. The AD applies specifically to the mentioned aircraft models and line numbers, and any alternate methods of compliance are noted, particularly for aircraft with line numbers 1175 and subsequent, which have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/154 Amdt 2 focus on the applicability, requirements, and compliance for the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, specifically Models 737-600, -700, -800, and -700C up to and including line number 1174 (ss 1-3). The AD revokes a previous directive and requires action to be taken in relation to the aircraft to correct an unsafe condition concerning elevator tab vibrations. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2001-08-09 Amdt 39-12186 and references Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1072 Revision 1. It specifies that compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) terminates the requirements of this directive. The AD became effective on 25 December 2003, with the compliance date set as specified in the requirement document, effective from 9 May 2001.
The obligations imposed by this AD primarily fall on the operators and maintainers of Boeing 737-600, -700, -800, and -700C series aircraft, particularly those up to line number 1174. These parties must ensure that the actions specified in the requirement section are carried out in the prescribed circumstances and according to the instructions provided. Specifically, they must comply with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-08-08 Amdt 39-12186, which includes addressing the elevator tab vibrations through inspection and repair as directed. Additionally, operators must reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1072 Revision 1 for further guidance.
The AD also includes provisions for penalties and consequences for non-compliance. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in Australia typically results in significant civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These may include fines and imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of airworthiness and safety regulations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take enforcement action against operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives, potentially leading to grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved.
The AD further clarifies that compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) serves as terminating action for the requirements of this directive. This means that once the specified actions in FAA AD 2003-03-22 are completed, the requirements of AD/B737/154 Amdt 2 are no longer applicable. The AD is designed to ensure that the unsafe condition concerning elevator tab vibrations is adequately addressed, thereby enhancing the overall safety and airworthiness of the affected Boeing 737 aircraft.