AD/B737/155 - Elevator Hinge Plates (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B737/155 Elevator Hinge Plates 8/2001

Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series aircraft, with line numbers 1 through 84. Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-06-08 Amdt 39-12155.

Note: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067 refers.

Compliance: Before the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles or within 90 days after 9 August 2001, whichever occurs later; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles, until accomplishment of optional terminating action specified in Part II of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 August 2001.

Background: Fatigue cracking of the elevator hinge plates has been reported. Such cracking could lead to loss of attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabiliser, and consequent reduced controllability of the aircraft.

David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2001