AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-T-055/2001

Date of issue: June 14, 2001

AIRCRAFT - SPEEDBRAKES - INSPECTION

Applicability: All Model 737-800 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Effective date: Upon receipt.

Compliance: Required as indicated in FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51.

Remarks: The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270.

Ing. Pavel MATOUŠEK

Director of Airworthiness Division

CAA CZ

EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

2001-12-51 BOEING: Docket No. 2001-NM-193-AD.

Applicability: All Model 737-800 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To ensure that the flight crew is advised of the potential hazard associated with extending the speedbrakes at speeds in excess of 300 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), accomplish the following:

(a) Within 24 clock hours after receipt of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following information. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the AFM.

"Do not operate the airplane at speeds in excess of 300 KIAS with speedbrakes extended.

WARNING: Use of speedbrakes at speeds in excess of 320 KIAS could result in a severe vibration, which, in turn, could cause extreme damage to the horizontal stabilizer."

(b) Modification or retrofit of the elevator tab assembly in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, constitutes terminating action for the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD. Following such modification or retrofit, that AFM revision may be removed from the AFM.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations or Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

(d) AD 2001-12-51, issued on June 13, 2001, becomes effective upon receipt.

For further information contact: Nancy H. Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2028; fax (425) 227-1181.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 13, 2001.

Original signed by: Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.