AD 2007-15-04 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-800 Series Airplanes

Models named: 737-800 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-800 series airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 32685, 34277 through 34281 inclusive, 34474, 34475, 34654 through 34656 inclusive, 34690, 34948, 34949, 35091 through 35093 inclusive, 35103, 35134, 35176 through 35183 inclusive, 35330, 35331, 35558, 35559, and 36323 through 36328 inclusive.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Note 1: We use the term “flight spoilers,” “flight spoiler actuators,” or “SFP actuators,” in this AD to refer to the affected spoilers and actuators. There are ground spoilers on the affected airplanes, but the ground spoilers have a different type of actuator and are not affected by this AD. Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2007-06-52 Visual Check and Corrective Action (f) Within 24 clock hours after May 7, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-06-52), do the actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable, until the action required by paragraph (h) of this AD is accomplished. The visual checks required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD may be performed by qualified personnel or flightcrew, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(b) and 14 CFR 121.363 and 121.380. (1) After every landing, visually check the spoilers to determine spoiler position, in accordance with Boeing 737 Flight Crew Operations Manual Bulletin No. TBC-67, dated March 5, 2007. (i) If all spoilers are determined to be properly stowed, no further action is required by this paragraph. (ii) If any spoiler is found to be improperly stowed (in the up position with the speedbrake handle in the down position), before further flight, replace the flight spoiler actuator with a flight spoiler actuator, having part number (P/N) P665A0001-01 or higher dash number, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. The “Flight Spoiler Actuator Removal” task and the “Flight Spoiler Actuator Installation” task in Chapter 27-61-51 of the Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) are approved methods for the replacement (removal and installation) of the flight spoiler actuator. (2) After any rejected takeoff maneuver, do the visual check specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. (3) After any maintenance action that operates the spoiler system, do an operational test of the speedbrake control system in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA. The “Speedbrake Control System Operational Test” specified in Chapter 27-62-00 of the Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 AMM is one approved method for the operational test of the speedbrake control system. If any spoiler panel is found to be fully extended with the speedbrake handle down, or if any spoiler panel is found fully retracted when the speedbrake handle is up, before further flight, replace the flight spoiler actuator in accordance with the actions specified in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD. Reporting (g) If any spoiler is found to be improperly stowed during any visual check required by this AD, at the applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, report the following information electronically to Boeing using the established Boeing Communications System (BCS): Airplane serial number, jam position, spoiler panel number or wing position of the spoiler that jammed, date of visual check, and flight hours accumulated on the airplane. Doing the action required by paragraph (h) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (1) For visual checks done before May 7, 2007: Within 7 days after May 7, 2007. (2) For visual checks done after May 7, 2007: Within 7 days after doing the inspection. New Requirements of This AD Terminating Action (h) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD: Install flight spoiler actuator, P/N P665A0001-01 or higher dash number, in all eight flight spoiler positions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1283, dated April 3, 2007. Doing this installation ends the requirements of paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD. Any flight spoiler actuator with P/N P665A0001-01 (or higher dash number) that was previously installed in any flight spoiler position in accordance with the requirements of AD 2007-06-52 is acceptable for meeting the requirements of this AD for that flight spoiler position. Parts Installation (i) As of May 7, 2007, no person may install a flight spoiler actuator, having P/N P665A0001-00, on any airplane. Parts Return (j) Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1283, dated April 3, 2007, describe procedures for returning parts to the vendor, this AD does not require that action. Special Flight Permit (k) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199), are subject to the requirements of paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2) of this AD. (1) Special flight permits are not allowed if any flight spoiler is found in the up position during any visual check required by paragraph (f) of this AD. (2) Special flight permits are allowed for ferry flights to a maintenance location to accomplish the flight spoiler actuator installation required by paragraph (h) of this AD if no flight spoiler has failed any visual check required by paragraph (f) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (l)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2007-06-52 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use Boeing 737 Flight Crew Operations Manual Bulletin No. TBC-67, dated March 5, 2007; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1283, dated April 3, 2007; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1283, dated April 3, 2007, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On May 7, 2007 (72 FR 21083, April 30, 2007), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing 737 Flight Crew Operations Manual Bulletin No. TBC-67, dated March 5, 2007. (3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 2007. Stephen P. Boyd, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-13979 Filed 7-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report of seven flight spoiler actuator jams on Model 737-800 series airplanes equipped for short field performance (SFP). The cause of the failure has been identified as interference within the actuator main control valve. We are issuing this AD to prevent operation with defective flight spoiler actuators, which could result in a spoiler actuator hardover, and could cause the spoiler surface to jam in the fully extended position. Two or more hardover failures of the flight spoiler surfaces in the up direction on the same wing, if undetected prior to takeoff, can cause significant roll and consequent loss of control of the airplane.