AD 2009-09-07
Recurring
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 737-100 Series | Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 737-200 Series | Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 737-200C Series | Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 737-300 Series | Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 737-400 Series | Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 737-500 Series | Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Reports of broken retract actuator beams of the main landing gear (MLG) and the subsequent failure of the MLG to fully retract.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Repetitive overhaul of the retract actuator beam of the main landing gear (MLG) is required for all airplanes. Repetitive inspections for damage of the retract actuator beam are required for certain airplanes, along with related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within 12 months of effective date
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
All Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. For all airplanes, this AD requires repetitive overhaul of the retract actuator beam of the main landing gear (MLG). For certain airplanes, this AD requires repetitive inspections for damage of the retract actuator beam, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of broken retract actuator beams of the MLG and the subsequent failure of the MLG to fully retract. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct broken retract actuator beams of the MLG, which could cause damage to the beam arm, hydraulic tubing, and flight control cables. Damage to the flight control cables could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 87 (Thursday, May 7, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21251-21254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: E9-9926]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1070; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-087-AD;
Amendment 39-15893; AD 2009-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. For all airplanes, this AD requires repetitive overhaul of
the retract actuator beam of the main landing gear (MLG). For certain
airplanes, this AD requires repetitive inspections for damage of the
retract actuator beam, and related investigative and corrective actions
if necessary. This AD results from reports of broken retract actuator
beams of the MLG and the subsequent failure of the MLG to fully
retract. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct broken retract
actuator beams of the MLG, which could cause damage to the beam arm,
hydraulic tubing, and flight control cables. Damage to the flight
control cables could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective June 11, 2009.
[[Page 21252]]
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 11,
2009.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207; telephone 206-544-9990; fax 206-766-5682; e-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2a6a6a1b1a2808d878b8c85cc818d8f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbfffff8e8fbd9d4ded2d5dc95d8d4d6">[email protected]</span></a>;
Internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
917-6440; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October
8, 2008 (73 FR 58906). For all airplanes, that NPRM proposed to require
repetitive overhaul of the retract actuator beam of the main landing
gear (MLG). For certain airplanes, that NPRM proposed to require
repetitive inspections for damage of the retract actuator beam, and
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received from the commenters.
Support for the NPRM
Boeing concurs with the contents of the NPRM.
Request To Change Overhaul Requirements
Continental Airlines (CAL) asks that we not mandate overhaul of the
retract actuator beam using the instructions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355,
Revision 2, dated March 5, 2008. CAL states that the reason for release
of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, is Boeing's concern
regarding shop process deficiencies at some repair facilities where
correct overhaul procedures were not followed. CAL finds this reasoning
detrimental to all operators that follow correct overhaul procedures at
their repair facilities.
CAL landing gear components, including the retract actuator beams
of the left and right main landing gear, are time controlled per the
Boeing 737-300/-500 Maintenance Program and are scheduled to be
overhauled at 10-year intervals at an FAA-approved landing gear
overhaul facility. CAL also makes the following recommendations
regarding Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2:
<bullet> The stripping of all chrome and nickel plating specified
in Step 4 of Figure 2 should be included as an option, as in the Boeing
737 Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), Section 32-00-05.
<bullet> The nital etch inspection of machined surfaces specified
only in Step 9 of Figure 2 should not be limited to machined surfaces.
<bullet> The stress relieving of the part specified in Step 10 of
Figure 2 should be an optional step, as specified in Boeing 737 CMM,
Section 32-00-05.
<bullet> The shot peening of the entire part specified in Step 12
of Figure 2 should be limited to the machined areas of the part since
the geometry of the actuator beam does not allow for effective shot
peening of the entire area.
<bullet> A caution note for arc burns associated with grounding
(similar to Step 14) should be included in Step 13 of Figure 2.
We disagree that using the instructions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355,
Revision 2, dated March 5, 2008, to perform the overhaul of the retract
actuator beam should not be mandated. Revision 2 of Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-32A1355 references improved overhaul procedures, and those
procedures are required by this AD. However, according to the
provisions of paragraph (i) of this AD, we may approve a request for
using different overhaul procedures if the request includes data that
prove that those procedures would provide an acceptable level of
safety. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
We acknowledge the request for changes to Boeing Service Bulletin
737-32A1355, Revision 2. At the present time, Boeing has not issued a
revised service bulletin with the changes. However, if Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, is revised after issuance of this AD,
we might consider approving the revised service bulletin as an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) with the requirements of this
AD. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 652 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action/airplane group Work hours Average labor Parts cost Cost per product registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overhaul for Group 1; Configurations 64 $80 None.................... $5,120, per overhaul 652 $3,338,240
1, 2, and 3. cycle.
Inspection for Group 1, Configuration 1 80 None.................... $80, per inspection 525 42,000
3. cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 21253]]
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2009-09-07 Boeing: Amendment 39-15893. Docket No. FAA-2008-1070;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-087-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 11,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -
300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of broken retract actuator
beams of the main landing gear (MLG) and the subsequent failure of
the MLG to fully retract. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct broken retract actuator beams of the MLG, which could result
in damage to the beam arm, hydraulic tubing, and flight control
cables. Damage to the flight control cables could result in loss of
control of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Inspection and Related Investigative and Corrective Actions/Overhaul
(f) Except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD: At
the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, dated March 5, 2008, inspect for
damage of the retract actuator beam of the MLG and overhaul the
retract actuator beam, as applicable, by doing all the applicable
actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, dated March 5, 2008. Do
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before
further flight. Repeat the applicable inspection or overhaul
thereafter at the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E. of
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, dated March 5,
2008.
Exceptions to Service Information
(g) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, dated
March 5, 2008, specifies a compliance time after ``* * * the date on
this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(h) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision 2, dated March
5, 2008, specifies that the actions are for airplanes with new MLG
retract actuator beams that have not been overhauled having part
number (P/N) 65-46108-15 and subsequent dash numbers; and new or
overhauled MLG retract actuator beams having P/N 65-46108-14 and
previous dash numbers. However, this AD is not limited to new or
overhauled beams. This AD requires that the actions required by
paragraph (f) of this AD be done on airplanes with any MLG retract
actuator beam having those P/Ns.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S,
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6440; fax (425)
917-6590; or e-mail information to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#162f3b57585b3b45737762627a733b5755593b575b59553b44736763736562655670777738717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ea7b3dfd0d3b3cdfbffeaeaf2fbb3dfddd1b3dfd3d1ddb3ccfbefebfbedeaeddef8ffffb0f9f1e8">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair
method to be approved the repair must meet the certification basis
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this
AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 737-32A1355, Revision
2, dated March 5, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207; telephone 206-544-9990; fax 206-766-5682; e-mail
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#185c5c5b4b587a777d71767f367b7775"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="450101061605272a202c2b226b262a28">[email protected]</span></a>; Internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html</a>.
[[Page 21254]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 22, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-9926 Filed 5-6-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.
Related Airworthiness Directives
2025-02-02 Recurring
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Unsafe Condition: cracks in the frame inner chord and web at station (STA) 727 between S-11L and S-13L, which could result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit load, and adversely affe...
2023-13-12 Recurring
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Unsafe Condition: premature aging of certain passenger chemical oxygen generators, which could fail to deliver oxygen during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to the airplane occupants.
2023-12-13
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Unsafe Condition: Radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 5G C-Band. This interference can cause other airp...
2023-10-02
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; Transport and Commuter Category Airplanes
Unsafe Condition: Radio altimeter anomalies that are undetected by the automation or pilot, particularly close to the ground (e.g., landing flare), could lead to loss of continued safe flight and landing. Additional...