AD 2010-14-06 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

Models named: 737-200, -300, -400, -500 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2009.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Restatement of Requirements of AD 2008-06-24, With New Service Information Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions if Necessary (g) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, dated April 9, 2007: Within 60 months after April 23, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-06-24), do a general visual inspection to determine the manufacturer and manufacture date of the oxygen masks in the passenger service unit and the lavatory and attendant box assemblies, and do the applicable corrective action and other specified action, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, dated April 9, 2007; or Revision 1, dated April 23, 2009; except where these service bulletins specify repairing the oxygen mask assembly, replace it with a new or modified oxygen mask assembly having an improved flow indicator. The corrective action and other specified action must be done before further flight. As of the effective date of this AD, use only Revision 1 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099. New Requirements of This AD Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions if Necessary (h) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection to determine the manufacturer and manufacture date of the oxygen masks in the passenger service unit and the lavatory and attendant box assemblies, and do the applicable corrective action and other specified action, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2009; except where this service bulletin specifies repairing the oxygen mask assembly, replace it with a new or modified oxygen mask assembly having an improved flow indicator. The corrective action and other specified action must be done before further flight. Note 1: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, dated April 9, 2007; and Revision 1, dated April 23, 2009; refer to B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-01, dated February 6, 2006; Revision 1, dated May 1, 2006; and Revision 2, dated May 28, 2008; as additional sources of guidance for modifying the oxygen mask assembly by replacing the flow indicator with an improved flow indicator. Parts Installation (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a B/E Aerospace oxygen mask assembly having a part number in the 174080 series or 174095 series with a manufacturing date after January 1, 2002, and before March 1, 2006, on any airplane, unless it has been modified in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD. Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Issue of the Service Bulletin (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, dated April 9, 2007, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Nicholas Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6476; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail information to 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, dated April 9, 2007; or Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2009; as applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, Revision 1, dated April 23, 2009, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-35-1099, dated April 9, 2007, on April 23, 2008 (73 FR 14666, March 19, 2008). (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (5) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference 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 June 18, 2010. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2010-15816 Filed 6-30-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a determination indicating that additional airplanes may be subject to the identified unsafe condition. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent the in-line flow indicators of the passenger oxygen masks from fracturing and separating, which could inhibit oxygen flow to the masks and consequently result in exposure of the passengers and cabin attendants to hypoxia following a depressurization event.