AD 2003-03-05

final rule
Data completeness: 70%

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

AD Number
2003-03-05
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Docket No. 2001-NM-274-AD
FR Citation
68 FR 4371

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Boeing 737-300 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Vibro-engraving on new rod ends creates stress risers that reduce fatigue life, potentially leading to fatigue cracking and failure of the rod ends. This could result in uncommanded deployment of the wing leading edge slat and reduced controllability of the airplane.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Inspect all rod ends on the actuators of the wing leading edge slats to determine if vibro-engraving was used. Replace rod ends with vibro-engraving with new parts, as necessary. Revise the maintenance program to include this inspection.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Before further flight

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes with existing actuators or rod ends on the wing leading edge slat positions 1, 2, 5, and 6.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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