AD 2018-20-24 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.

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, line numbers 1 through 6899 inclusive.

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

Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information in Section A, including Subsections A.1, A.2, and A.3, of Boeing 737-600/700/700C/800/900/900ER Special Compliance Items/Airworthiness Limitations, D626A001-9-04, Revision January 2017; except as provided in paragraph (h) of this AD. The initial compliance times for the airworthiness limitation instructions (ALI) tasks are within the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(11) of this AD: (1) For AWL No. 28-AWL-01, “External Wires Over Center Fuel Tank”: Within 120 months after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 120 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-01, whichever is later. (2) For AWL No. 28-AWL-03, “Fuel Quantity Indicating System (FQIS)—Out Tank Wiring Lightning Shield to Ground Termination”: Within 120 months after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 120 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-03, whichever is later. (3) For AWL No. 28-AWL-19, “Center Tank Fuel Boost Pump Automatic Shutoff System”: Within 12 months after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, within 12 months after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28A1206, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-19, whichever is latest. This AWL does not apply to airplanes that have complied with paragraph (s) of AD 2011-18-03. (4) For AWL No. 28-AWL-20, “Over-Current and Arcing Protection Electrical Design Features Operation—Boost Pump Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI)”: Within 12 months after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, within 12 months after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28A1201, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-20, whichever is latest. For airplanes that have complied with paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of AD 2011-20-07, Amendment 39-16818 (76 FR 60710, September 30, 2011), the operational test for left center tank fuel boost pump relay R54 and right center tank fuel boost pump relay R55 does not apply. (5) For AWL No. 28-AWL-23, “Center Tank Fuel Boost Pump Power Failed On Protection System”: Within 12 months after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, within 12 months after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28A1248, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-23, whichever is latest. This AWL does not apply to airplanes that have complied with paragraph (s) of AD 2011-18-03. (6) For AWL No. 28-AWL-24, “Spar Valve Motor Operated Valve (MOV) Actuator—Lightning and Fault Current Protection Electrical Bond”: Within 72 months after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28A1207, or within 72 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-24, whichever is later. (7) For AWL No. 28-AWL-29, “Full Cushion Clamps and Teflon Sleeving (If Installed) Installed on Out-of-Tank Wire Bundles Installed on Brackets that are Mounted Directly on the Fuel Tanks”: For airplanes having line numbers (L/N) 1 through 1754 inclusive, within 120 months after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57A1279, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later. For airplanes having L/N 1755 and on, within 120 months after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later. (8) For AWL No. 47-AWL-04, “Nitrogen Generation System—Thermal Switch”: Within 22,500 flight hours after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, within 22,500 flight hours after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-47-1003, or within 22,500 flight hours after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 47-AWL-04, whichever is latest. (9) For AWL No. 47-AWL-06, “Nitrogen Generation System (NGS)—Cross Vent Check Valve”: Within 13,000 flight hours after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, within 13,000 flight hours after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-47-1003, or within 13,000 flight hours after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 47-AWL-06, whichever is latest. (10) For AWL No. 47-AWL-07, “Nitrogen Generation System (NGS)—Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA) Distribution Ducting Integrity”: Within 6,500 flight hours after the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, within 6,500 flight hours after accomplishment of the actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-47-1003, or within 6,500 flight hours after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 47-AWL-07, whichever is latest. (11) For AWL No. 28-AWL-101, “Engine Fuel Suction Feed Operational Test”: Within 7,500 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, after the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness; or within 7,500 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-101; whichever is later.

This AD was prompted by significant changes made to airworthiness limitations (AWL) related to fuel tank ignition prevention and the nitrogen generation system. We are issuing this AD to address the development of an ignition source inside the fuel tanks and the flammability exposure of the center fuel tank, which could lead to a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. We are also issuing this AD to address the potential loss of engine fuel suction feed capability, which could result in dual engine flameouts, inability to restart engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane.

This AD affects the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this AD. (1) AD 2008-06-03, Amendment 39-15415 (73 FR 13081, March 12, 2008) (“AD 2008-06-03”). (2) AD 2008-10-10 R1, Amendment 39-16164 (75 FR 1529, January 12, 2010) (“AD 2008-10-10 R1”). (3) AD 2008-17-15, Amendment 39-15653 (73 FR 50714, August 28, 2008) (“AD 2008-17-15”). (4) AD 2011-18-03, Amendment 39-16785 (76 FR 53317, August 26, 2011) (“AD 2011-18-03”). (5) AD 2013-15-17, Amendment 39-17533 (78 FR 52838, August 27, 2013) (“AD 2013-15-17”).