AD 2002-19-51 R1

AD Final Rules - 021951R1fr.pdf
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AD Number:
2002-19-51 R1
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
2002-NM-248-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes
Subject:
Flight control modules (FCM)
Status:
Current
Citation:
(Federal Register: October 7, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 194))
Citation Publish Date:
10/07/2002
Effective Date:
10/15/2002
Make:
The Boeing Company
Model:
737-100 Series | 737-200 Series | 737-200C Series | 737-300 Series | 737-400 Series | 737-500 Series...Show more
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
2002-19-51
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
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[Federal Register: October 7, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 194)]


[Rules and Regulations]


[Page 62347-62350]


From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


[DOCID:fr07oc02-11]


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. 2002-NM-248-AD; Amendment 39-12904; AD 2002-19-51 R1]


RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes


AGENCY:
 
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.


ACTION:
 
Final rule; request for comments.


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


SUMMARY:
 
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness


directive (AD) 2002-19-51 R1 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of all


Boeing Model 737 series airplanes by individual notices. This AD revises existing AD 2002-19-51


that currently requires, for certain airplanes, an inspection to determine the serial number of certain


flight control modules (FCM), having P/N 65-44891-7, and corrective actions if necessary. That AD


was prompted by reports of failed FCMs, which resulted in sluggish response of the aileron, elevator,


and rudder surfaces. This AD revises the existing AD to provide operators with additional options for


compliance, to specify the serial numbers of the affected compensator, and to make other editorial


changes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent operation with one failed FCM,


which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, or with two failed FCMs, which could


result in loss of control of the airplane.


DATES:
 
Effective October 15, 2002, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made


immediately effective by emergency AD 2002-19-51 R1, issued on September 18, 2002, which


contained the requirements of this amendment.


Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before December 6, 2002.


ADDRESSES:
 
Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),


Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-248-AD, 1601


Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location


between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may be


submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following


address: 9-anm-iarcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain ''Docket


No. 2002-NM-248-AD'' in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via


the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or


ASCII text.
2


Information pertaining to this AD may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,


1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 
Kenneth W. Frey, Aerospace Engineer, Systems


and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,


SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2673; fax (425) 227-1181.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


Background


On September 13, 2002, the FAA issued airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-19-51, applicable to


all Boeing Model 737 series airplanes, to require, for certain airplanes, an inspection to determine


whether flight control modules (FCM) having part number (P/N) 65-44891-7 with serial number


(S/N) 8726 or greater (hereafter referred to as ''suspect FCMs'') are installed, and corrective actions if


necessary. The corrective actions include replacing the suspect FCM(s) with a serviceable FCM(s)


having P/N 65-44891-7 with a S/N less than 8726, and revising the FAA-approved Airplane Flight


Manual (AFM) to include procedures for certain airplanes to identify failures of suspect FCMs before


dispatch and to provide the flightcrew with operating procedures in the event of failure of an FCM in


flight. The AD also requires certain operators to submit inspection findings to the FAA. That action


was prompted by reports of failed FCMs, which resulted in sluggish response of the aileron, elevator,


and rudder surfaces. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent operation with one


failed FCM, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, or with two failed FCMs,


which could result in loss of control of the airplane.


Clarification of Affected Airplanes


Because of reports of some operators misinterpreting the applicability of AD 2002-19-51, we


find that clarification is necessary. Operators should note that this AD affects all Boeing Model 737


series airplanes. Operators of Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, having


line numbers 1136 through 1230 inclusive, are subject to all requirements of this AD. However,


operators of all Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes; and Model 737-


600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, having line numbers other than 1136 through 1230


inclusive; are only required to adhere to paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD (i.e., parts installation


paragraphs) to ensure that spare replacement FCMs and compensators identified in those paragraphs


are not installed on any Model 737 series airplane in the future. No change to this AD is necessary in


this regard.


Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule


Since the issuance of AD 2002-19-51, the FAA has approved an alternative method of


compliance (AMOC) for the replacement required by paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (h) of that AD.


The AMOC allows FCMs having P/Ns other than 65-44891-7 that are approved for installation on


Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes to be installed during the


replacements required by those paragraphs. In addition, we have determined that a suspect FCM can


continue to be used once the compensator has been replaced with an airworthy compensator.


Therefore, we have revised those paragraphs and paragraph (j) of this AD accordingly.


We also have determined that replacement of all suspect FCMs with airworthy FCMs terminates


the requirements of paragraphs (e) through (g) of this AD. Therefore, we have revised paragraphs (c)


and (d)(1) of this AD accordingly.


We also have revised paragraph (h) of this AD to state explicitly that suspect FCMs that fail


during operation of the airplane must be replaced before further flight.