EASA AD US-2020-03-10
Fuselage - Fairing Panel 194E, Wheel Well Panel 193D & Support Structure - Inspection
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2020-03-10 addresses The Boeing Company Model 737 series airplanes, excluding the 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series. This directive mandates inspections and corrective actions for the lower aft wing-to-body fairing panel 194E, wheel well panel 193D, and their support structures due to reported in-flight separation caused by worn or damaged nutplates.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces repetitive inspections for discrepancies in fairing panel 194E, wheel well panel 193D, and the support structure, along with related investigative and corrective actions. It also requires rework of these panels and support structures, which will terminate the need for ongoing inspections.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving potential separation of a key aircraft panel during flight, which could compromise structural integrity and flight safety. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to prevent in-flight failures and maintain airworthiness of affected Boeing 737 aircraft.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 737 models must perform repetitive inspections of the specified panels and support structures and carry out any necessary repairs or corrective actions. The directive becomes effective on March 27, 2020, and rework of the panels and support structure must be completed to end the inspection cycle. Compliance with specified torque values and service bulletin instructions is mandatory.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.