AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/87 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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/B737/87
Amdt 2
Fuselage Lap Joints, Lower Skins 7/2002
Applicability: Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft, with line numbers 292
through 2565.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-07-08 Amdt 39-12702.
Note: Boeing Service Bulletins 737-53A1177 Revision 4, Revision 5, and Revision 6 refer.
Compliance: As specified in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 11 July 2002.
This amendment becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Background: Cracks have been experienced on six aircraft in the lower skin at the fuselage lap joints. If the cracks are not detected at an early stage, they could grow to a length that may result in a rapid decompression.
Amendment 1 required that inspections be accomplished at more frequent intervals. The AD also added a requirement for modification of the fuselage lap joints at certain locations, which constituted terminating action for repetitive inspections of modified areas.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which adds repetitive inspections and requires replacement of the current preventive modification with an improved modification. The AD was prompted by the FAA’s determination that, in light of additional crack findings, certain modifications of the fuselage lap joints do not provide an adequate level of safety.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/87 Amdt 2 (continued)
The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 25 May 1995. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 29 January 1998.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/87 Amdt 2, issued in 2002 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), addresses the issue of cracks that have been detected in the lower skin at the fuselage lap joints of Boeing 737 series aircraft. This problem was identified through reports of cracks on several aircraft, which, if not detected and addressed in a timely manner, could lead to rapid decompression, posing significant safety risks. The directive revokes the previous amendment, AD/B737/87 Amdt 1, and introduces new requirements in response to additional findings by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that certain modifications of the fuselage lap joints were insufficient to ensure adequate safety. The policy objective of this amendment is to enhance the airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating more stringent and improved modifications, along with additional repetitive inspections to ensure the ongoing integrity of the aircraft structure. The directive became effective on 11 July 2002, with the revised compliance date communicated in the requirement document.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/87 Amdt 2 applies specifically to the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, including models 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 within the line numbers 292 through 2565. This legislation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable to aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD mandates certain safety actions to be taken to address the identified unsafe condition concerning cracks at the fuselage lap joints of the lower skins. The requirement section outlines the action to be in accordance with the technical specifications of FAA AD 2002-07-08 Amdt 39-12702, which includes repetitive inspections and modifications to ensure the aircraft remain airworthy. The AD also references relevant Boeing Service Bulletins for additional guidance. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by 11 July 2002, as specified in the requirement document. This AD revokes the previous AD/B737/87 Amdt 1 and updates the safety measures in response to additional crack findings and the determination that certain modifications did not sufficiently mitigate the risk of rapid decompression if cracks are not detected early.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/87 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, applies to Boeing 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft with line numbers ranging from 292 to 2565. The directive mandates specific actions to address safety concerns related to fuselage lap joints and lower skins, as detailed in the requirement section. The AD stipulates that the corrective actions must align with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-07-08 Amdt 39-12702, referencing Boeing Service Bulletins 737-53A1177 Revisions 4, 5, and 6. The directive is effective as of 11 July 2002.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, it requires aircraft operators to perform repetitive inspections of the fuselage lap joints as specified in the requirement document, ensuring that these inspections are conducted at the intervals mandated by the FAA AD. Additionally, operators must implement modifications to the fuselage lap joints as per the improved modification detailed in the FAA AD. These modifications are intended to enhance safety by mitigating the risk of cracks leading to rapid decompression. Compliance with these requirements is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety implications and potential legal consequences. While the AD does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is generally considered a violation of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998). Such violations may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which could include fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Operators found in breach of the AD may also face civil liability for any damages resulting from non-compliance, including incidents of rapid decompression due to undetected cracks.