AD/B737/171 - 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/B737/171 Elevator Hinge Plates 2/2002

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 2001-23-01 Amdt 39-12498.

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

Compliance: As specified in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 21 February 2002.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 February 2002.

Background: The FAA received a report that, during flight testing of Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series aircraft, the elevator hinge plates at elevator hinges 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 experienced higher than expected loads due to buffeting by the spoiler. The higher loads reduce the service life of the elevator hinge plates, and a reduced service life could result in fatigue cracking and lead to loss of attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabiliser.