Doors / Fuselage - Floor Beam Lower Chord and Door Stop Fittings - Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected Boeing 737-100 through -500 series airplanes must perform the required inspections within 120 days of October 15, 2018, the effective date of the directive. They must inspect the specified floor beam lower chord and door stop fittings for cracks and carry out any necessary repairs or corrective actions. Compliance with the directive includes following Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1370 RB and coordinating with the FAA for any alternative methods of compliance if needed.
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2018-18-03 addresses certain Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This directive mandates repetitive inspections of the floor beam lower chord and door stop fittings at the forward airstair door cutout to detect cracks. It aims to ensure structural integrity and prevent possible rapid decompression.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections for cracks in the station 312 floor beam lower chord and door stop fittings No. 2, No. 5, and No. 8. It also includes on-condition actions if cracks are found and clarifies that installation of Supplemental Type Certificate STC ST01219SE does not affect compliance. Additionally, it allows manual operation of the forward airstair door when electrical operation is not possible due to prior modifications.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a structural cracking issue that could compromise the ability of a principal structural element to sustain limit loads, potentially leading to rapid decompression. Operators and maintenance teams must comply to maintain airworthiness and ensure passenger safety. The inspections and corrective actions help prevent costly in-service failures and regulatory non-compliance.
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