AD 2013-19-23 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

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

(1) This AD applies to the Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before April 3, 2012. (2) This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 120-93, dated November 20, 2007 ( http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/f73fd2a31b353a71862573b000521928/$FILE/AC%20120-93.pdf ). (3) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE ( http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/408e012e008616a7862578880060456c/$FILE/ST00830SE.pdf ) affects the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST00830SE is installed, a “change in product” AMOC approval request might be necessary to comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating the information in paragraph (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), or (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. (i) Subsection B, AWLs—Structural Inspections, of Section 9, “Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),” of Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER MPD Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision July 2011. (ii) Subsection B, AWLs—Structural Inspections, of Section 9, “Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),” of Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER MPD Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision December 2011. (iii) Subsection B, AWLs—Structural Inspections, of Section 9, “Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs),” of Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER MPD Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision August 2012. (2) The initial compliance time for the inspections is within the applicable times specified in the documents identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; or within the applicable time specified in those documents from the time of installation of new parts. (3) Reports specified in the documents identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD may be submitted within 10 days after the airplane is returned to service, instead of 10 days after each individual finding as specified in Section 9 of the documents identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD.

This AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness limitations of the maintenance planning data (MPD) document. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements (PSEs), which could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes.

None.