AD 2008-24-08 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 Series Airplanes

Models named: 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 2007.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Inspection and Modification (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service doors to determine the Goodrich part number (P/N) and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and modify the escape slide assemblies, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 2007. Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491, dated April 23, 2007, refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338, Revision 1, dated March 31, 2004, as an additional source of service information for modifying the escape slide assemblies. Concurrent Requirements (g) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD, do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD. (1) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, dated May 25, 2000, equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N 5A3307-3, P/N 5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3: Modify the escape slide latch assembly in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, dated May 25, 2000, as required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, Revision 1, dated April 18, 2002. (2) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3086-3 or P/N 5A3088-3: Inspect the four escape slides to determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and replace the trigger housing on the regulator valve with an improved trigger housing if BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/5A3088-25-302 is not stenciled on the girt, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002. For airplanes identified as Group 2 in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002, a records review may be done in lieu of the inspection to determine the part number. Note 2: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475, dated November 26, 2002, refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 5A3086/5A3088-25-336, dated June 17, 2002, as an additional source of service information for replacing the trigger housing on the regulator valve with a new, improved trigger housing. (3) For Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes equipped with any escape slide having P/N 5A3307-1, P/N 5A3086-3, or P/N 5A3088-3; or P/N 5A3307-3 and BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A3307-25-309 stenciled on the girt: Replace the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a new, improved rod in accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308, dated January 21, 2000. Terminating Action for AD 2001-15-01 (h) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, dated May 4, 2000: Accomplishing the replacement of the regulator piston plug in the vespel piston with a new piston plug, installation of a new insolate pad on the valise, and removal of the trigger housing cover, in accordance with Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338, Revision 1, dated March 31, 2004, terminates the modification specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, dated May 4, 2000, as required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with. (i) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes: Installation of a cover assembly on the trigger housing of the inflation cylinder on the escape slides in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403, Revision 1, dated November 29, 2001, terminates the corresponding action required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with. (j) For Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes: Modification of the escape slide latch assembly in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, Revision 1, dated April 18, 2002, terminates the corresponding action required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01. All other applicable actions required by paragraph (a) of AD 2001-15-01 must be fully complied with. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Robert K. Hettman, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457, fax (425) 917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 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. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) You must use the applicable service information contained in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If you accomplish the terminating actions for AD 2001-15-01 specified in this AD, you must use the applicable service information contained in Table 2 of this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 1—Material Incorporated by Reference for Actions Required in This AD Service Bulletin Revision Date Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404 Original May 25, 2000. Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404 1 April 18, 2002. Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 Original April 23, 2007. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475 Original November 26, 2002. BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-308 Original January 21, 2000. Table 2—Material Incorporated by Reference for the Optional Terminating Action in This AD Service Bulletin Revision Date Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404 1 April 18, 2002. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1403 1 November 29, 2001. Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-338 1 March 31, 2004. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in Table 3 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Table 3—New Material Incorporated by Reference Service Bulletin Revision Date Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404 1 April 18, 2002. Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1491 Original April 23, 2007. Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25-1475 Original November 26, 2002. Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-308 Original January 21, 2000. (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1404, dated May 25, 2000, on August 28, 2001 (66 FR 38361, July 24, 2001). (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone (206) 544-9990; fax (206) 766-5682; e-mail DDCS@boeing.com ; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 2008. Stephen P. Boyd, Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-27926 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports that certain escape slides did not inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation cable was pulled. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an escape slide to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers.