Transport Airplane Directorate

U.S. Department Los Angeles Aircraft

of Transportation
Certification Office
Federal Aviation 3960 Pa ra mo un t Bou levard
Administration Lakewood , Ca lifo rni a 907 12-4 137

August 29, 2016

In reply, refer to: 120L-16-382

The Boeing Company

2401 E. Wardlow Rd., MC D800-0022
Long Beach, CA 90807-5309
ATTN.: Mr. Tim Hendrix, Manager, Certification & Airworthiness

References: (I) Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 737-57A1277 Rev. I, dated November 25,
2003; and SB 737-57A 1277 Rev. 3, dated May 16,2012
(2) SB 737-57AI218 Rev . 5, dated February 9, 2009; and SB 737-57A1218
Rev. 6, dated June 9, 20 II

Dear Mr. Hendrix:

Subject: Approval of Change in Compliance Time to Paragraph (q)(2) of

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-05-12 for Boeing 73 7-300/-400/-500

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received multiple letters from several
operators requesting a change in campi iance time to AD 2014-05-12. AD 2014-05-12
requires repetitive inspections, gap checks, overhaul and replacement of carriage spindles,
in accordance with references ( 1) and (2). The requests are for a one-time extension to the
compliance time, up to August 31, 2017, for paragraphs (q)(2) and (r)(2) of AD 2014-05-12.
These requests are being made because there are currently no replacement carriage spindles
available. The operators have proposed to continue performing the repetitive gap checks
and nondestructive test inspections ofthe carriage spindles during the proposed timeframe.

The accomplishment of repetitive visual, ultrasonic , and gap check inspections ofthe
carriage spindles, in accordance with reference (I), provides an acceptable level of safety
until the carriage spindles can be replaced with a new or documented carriage spindle

Paragraph (r)(2) of AD 2014-05-12 requires accomplishment of actions, specified in

paragraph (q) ofthe AD, at the time specified in paragraph (q)(2) ofthe AD. Paragraph
(q)(2) of the AD requires replacement ofthe carriage spindles with new or documented
carriage spindles, in accordance with reference (2), within 6 years or 15,000 flight cycles
after August 31, 20 I 0, whichever occurs first.

Purpose -A 1·iation Saf"etr Prof"essionali.\'111- Technical Excellence Pride- Highesl Quality

120L-16-382 2

We have reviewed the requests and approve a change in the compliance time, to August 31 ,
2017, for paragraph (q)(2) of AD 2014-05-12, for replacement of the carriage spindles. This
approval is contingent upon continued accomplishment of the visual and ultrasonic
inspections, and the gap checks, specified in reference (I) as follows :
• Accomplish the visual and ultrasonic inspections on each carriage spindle ofthe
aircraft, at intervals not to exceed 6 days or 60 flight cycles, whichever occurs later,
until the carriage spindle is replaced with a new or documented carriage spindle
having less than 40,000 total flight cycles.

• Accomplish the gap check on each carriage spindle of the aircraft, at intervals not
to exceed daily or 20 flight cycles, whichever occurs later, until the carriage spindle
is replaced with a new or documented carriage spindle having less than 40,000 total
flight cycles.

• If any corroded, cracked, or severed carriage spindle is found during any

inspection, before further flight, accomplish the corrective actions defined in
paragraph (k) of AD 2014-05-12.

In accordance with FAA Order 8110.1 03A, the following conditions apply to alternative
methods of compliance (AMOC), and therefore to this change in compliance time
approval:

1. This AMOC only applies to the FAA AD 2014-05-12. The FAA does not have the
authority to approve this as an AMOC to any AD issued by another civil aviation
authority (CAA). Approval of an AMOC to another CAA's AD must come from
that CAA. A copy of this response will be forwarded to the CAA where these
aircraft are registered, for their consideration.

2. All provisions of AD 2014-05-12, not specifically referenced above, remain fully

applicable and must be complied with accordingly.

3. This approval is applicable only to Boeing Model 737-300/-400-/-500 airplanes.

4. This approval is not transferable with the airplane to other operators.

5. Before using this AMOC, notify the appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a
principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district
office/certificate holding district office.

Operators should order all parts necessary for carriage spindle replacement as soon as
possible, because the FAA does not plan to issue further extensions to com pi iance time for
the carriage spindles replacements.
120L-16-382 3

Should you have any questions, please contact this office, or Mr. Payman Soltani at
562-627-5313, or email at payman.soltani (a faa.gov .

Sincerely,

Kevin Hull
Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office