EASA AD US-2021-19-19
Wings - Leading Edge Outboard Blowout Door Sealant - Inspection
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2021-19-19 addresses certain Boeing 737-9 airplanes. It mandates inspections and sealant application on the left and right wing leading edge outboard blowout doors to correct missing sealant issues discovered during manufacturing. This sealant acts as a fuel barrier to prevent potential fuel leaks that could lead to fire hazards.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory fluid seal contact inspections and detailed inspections for missing sealant on the wing leading edge outboard blowout doors of specified Boeing 737-9 airplanes. It requires applying sealant where missing to mitigate the risk of fuel leaks. The directive also clarifies that only the bulk form of the specified developer should be used for inspections, disallowing alternative materials without FAA approval.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because missing sealant on the blowout doors can create unintended fuel drain paths, increasing the risk of fuel contacting the engine and causing a large ground fire. Operators, maintenance, and compliance teams must ensure inspections and repairs are performed to maintain aircraft safety and regulatory compliance. It also impacts sourcing and use of inspection materials, emphasizing adherence to specified products to avoid false inspection results.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 737-9 airplanes must perform the required fluid seal contact and detailed inspections of the wing leading edge outboard blowout doors as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-57A1350 RB dated April 23, 2020. Any missing sealant must be applied promptly. These actions must be completed by December 8, 2021, the effective date of the directive. Requests for alternative materials or methods require FAA approval through an AMOC process.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.