AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-038/2002

Date of issue: March 18, 2002

AIRCRAFT - MOVEMENT RUDDER PEDALS - INSPECTION

Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800 series airplanes; line numbers 1 through 295 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Effective date: May 16, 2002

Compliance: Required as indicated in FAA AD 2002-04-08.

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

2002-04-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-12665. Docket 2001-NM-37-AD.

Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800 series airplanes; line numbers 1 through 295 inclusive; 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 (b) 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 prevent loss of free movement of the rudder pedals, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement of Fasteners

(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time general visual inspection of the fasteners on the upper cover assembly of the housing for the captain's and first officer's rudder pedals to determine if pan-head fasteners are installed, according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1383, Revision 1, dated December 2, 1999. Replace all pan-head fasteners on the upper cover assembly of the housing for the captain's and first officer's rudder pedals with improved (flush-head) fasteners, including countersink-drilling the fastener holes, according to the service bulletin.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) 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 Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1383, Revision 1, dated December 2, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 5, 2002.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 21, 2002.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 02-4717 Filed 2-28-02; 8:45 am]

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