AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

FAA
Aviation Safety www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2017-04-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18806; Docket No. FAA-2016-5468;

Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-021-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective March 29, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

(1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900
series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE
(http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/184DE9A71EC3FA5586257EAE0
0707DA6?OpenDocument&Highlight=st00830se) does not affect the ability to accomplish the
actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST00830SE is installed, a
‘‘change in product” alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to
comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of paint deterioration on the surface of the main landing gear
(MLG) and early onset of corrosion in the trunnion bore of the MLG outer cylinder. We are issuing
this AD to prevent stress corrosion cracking of the external surfaces of the MLG, which could result
in a fracture of the MLG and consequent MLG collapse.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Inspection for Affected Part/Serial Numbers

At the applicable time specified in table 1 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,” of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2015 (‘‘SASB 737-32-1486,
R1”), except as required by paragraph (k)(1) of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1)
and (g)(2) of this AD in order to identify affected parts.

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 (1) Inspect the MLG to determine if it has any component installation or side strut assembly
having a part number and serial number listed in Appendix D of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1; except that
the ‘‘Variable Number” column of Appendix D is to be disregarded in determining affected part and
serial numbers. An MLG that has any MLG component installation or side strut assembly having a
part number and serial number listed in Appendix D of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1 is an affected part. A
review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number and
serial number of the MLG component installation and side strut assembly can be conclusively
identified from that review.
(2) Do a records review to determine if the MLG has been overhauled by Messier Services Asia
Pte Ltd (MS Asia) outside of the Boeing Exchange program from June 1, 2009, to July 31, 2013. If it
is determined that the MLG has been overhauled by MS Asia outside of the Boeing Exchange
program from June 1, 2009, to July 31, 2013, that MLG is an affected part. If from the records review
it cannot be conclusively determined that an overhauled MLG was overhauled by a maintenance,
repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility other than MS Asia, or if from the records review it cannot be
conclusively determined that an MLG overhauled by MS Asia was part of the Boeing Exchange
Program from June 1, 2009, to July 31, 2013, that MLG is an affected part.

(h) Requirements for Affected Parts

If any affected part is identified during the inspection or records review required by paragraph
(g) of this AD: At the applicable time specified in table 3 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,” of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by
SASB 737-32-1486, R1, except as required by paragraph (k)(1) of this AD, do detailed inspections of
the external surfaces of the MLG, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in
accordance with Parts 1, 3, and 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1,
except as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the applicable
time specified in table 3 of paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1. All applicable
related investigative and corrective actions must be done before further flight.

(i) Additional Actions for Groups 1 and 2, Configuration 1 Airplanes

For airplanes that are identified as Groups 1 and 2, Configuration 1, in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1, and
that have an affected part identified during the inspection or records review required by paragraph (g)
of this AD: At the applicable time specified in table 4 of paragraph 1.E, ‘‘Compliance,” of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-
32-1486, R1, except as required by paragraph (k)(1) of this AD, do a detailed inspection and bushing
replacement of the MLG trunnion bore, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective
actions, in accordance with Parts 2, 5, and 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486,
R1, except as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD.

(j) Terminating Action

(1) MLG replacement in accordance with Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-
32-1486, R1, terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD for that MLG
only.

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 (2) MLG component replacement in accordance with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by
SASB 737-32-1486, R1, terminates the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD for that component
only.
(3) MLG outer cylinder replacement in accordance with Part 7 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014, as
revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1, terminates the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD for that
component only.

(k) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

(1) Where paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-
1486, dated November 6, 2014, as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1, specifies a compliance time
‘‘after the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Although Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014,
as revised by SASB 737-32-1486, R1, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions, and
specifies that action as ‘‘RC” (Required for Compliance), this AD requires repair before further flight
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.

(l) Parts Installation Prohibition

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install the following on any airplane identified
in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, unless either the MLG or MLG component has first been overhauled
as specified in the corrective actions of paragraphs (h) and (i), as applicable, of this AD, or the MLG
or MLG component has been overhauled using a method approved in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.
(1) An MLG or MLG component having a part number and serial number identified in Appendix
D of SASB 737-32-1486, R1.
(2) An MLG that was overhauled between June 1, 2009, and July 31, 2013, by MS Asia.

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (n) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-
AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a
principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district
office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or
alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(4) Except as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD: For service information that contains steps
that are labeled as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (m)(4)(i) and (m)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an
RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ‘‘RC Exempt,” then the

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RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with
the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane
can be put back in an airworthy condition.

(n) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Alan Pohl, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch,
ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6450; fax: 425-917-6590; email: alan.pohl@faa.gov.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the
service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, dated November 6, 2014.
(ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-32-1486, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2015.
(3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal
Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone: 562-797-1717; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 2017.

Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.

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