EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE •

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Aircraft Certification Service

Washington, DC

U,S. Department :O~CURRENns ~

of Transportation "OU'm<G '''."eOl

Federal Aviatio kAJ""--)3 i>S

Administration NITI

\Vc post Emergency ADs on the internet at ,,\\,\,,\,'.faa.gov"

ISSUE DATE: March 12,2010

AD 2010-06-5.1; Docket No. FAA-2010-0230; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-071-AD

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ROU1'ING SYMBOL

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Emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-06-51 is sent to all owners and operators fb:

Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -70De, -800, -900, and -90GER series airplanes.

Background

The FAA received a report offailure of the aft attach lugs on the left elevator tab control

mechanism, which resulted ill severe elevator vibration. The tlightcrew diverted from the intende ,~

route and made an uneventful landing. Subsequent investigation revealed extensive damage to the DA" / /

elevator tab control system. Severe vibration in this attach point is suspected of alJowing rapid we' rJr /12/ 10

the jOint, <mdresulted in failure of the attach lugs. This condition, if not corrected, could result in ,~O~'Il"'G~M:AE" Gloss of aircraft control and stmctural integrity. t:

INITIALS'.""

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27 A 1296, dated March 12, 20 IO. Th OllrlNGSYMOOL

service bulletin describes procedures for a detailed inspection to detect discrepancies of the inboar and "'''''oP1

outboard aft attach lugs of the elevator tab control mechanism. Discrepancies include movement 0 ,'ITlA'_'IOI

rotation of the spacer, and gaps between the swage riug and the aft attach lug or between the spacel anctG~

the aft attach lug. The service bulletin dcsclibes procedures for replacing any discrepant elevator t' 1'1'.'6./ ;;

controlmccbanism, including performing the detailed inspection on the replacement part before an 1'2 / <0

after instal1atiOll. For certain airplanes, the compliance time for the illspection is 12 or 30 days, ~<JUTA';~M "II~

depending on airplane line number, total accumulated flight cycles, and approval for operation und , TI~"SIG

extended twin operations (ETOPS), f"\..,

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

ROlJTINGSI'MIIOL

We have evaluated all pertinent infonnation and identified an unsafe condition that is likel~ to jJm. .....IOI

exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design. Therefore, we are issuing this AD to NlTIAI.S£O--.

detect and correct a loose bearing in the aft lug of the elevator tab control mechanism, which could 1'10·

result in unwanted elevator and tab vibration. The consequent structural failure of tile elevator or 3 /2-

horizontal stabilizer could result in loss of aircraft control and structural integrity, This AD requir UTI"GSVMI)OI. /'

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accomplishing the actions specified in the service infonnation described previously, except as ftI.JY'I\.-Il7b

discussed under "Differences Betv,reen this AD and the Service Bulletin." This AD also requires INITI,"..s,·IG

reporting the inspection results to Boeing, A~ VV\i\

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EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

Background

Emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-06-51 is sent to all owners and operators of

Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -90GER series airplanes.

ISSUE DATE: March 12,2010

AD 2010-06-51; Docket No. FAA-2010-0230; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-071-AD 1n'1N(;S\"MIl()~

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u.s. Department

of Transportation

Federal Aviatio

Administration

\Ve post Emergency ADs on the internet at "www.faa.gov"

Aircraft Certification Service

Washington, DC

The FAA received a report of failure of the aft attach lugs on the left elevator tab control

mechanism, which resulted in severe elevator vibration. The flightcrew diverted from the intended

route and made an uneventful landing. Subsequent investigation revealed extensive damage to the

elevalor tab control system. Severe vibration in this attach point is suspected of allowing rapid we

the joint, and resulted in failure of the attach lugs. This condition, if not corrected, could result in

loss of aircraft control and structural integrity.

INITIAlSIStU

of

l;nSGS\·MIlO~

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27 A 1296, dated March 12, 2010. Th ll>lITlNl:>S\1>lIlO~

service bulletin describes procedures for a detailed inspection to detect discrepancies of the inboar and

outboard aft attach lugs of the elevator tab control mechanism. Discrepancies include movement 0 NlmlS'SKl

rotation of tile spacer, and gaps between the swage ring and the aft attach lug or between the spacer and

the aft attach lug. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing any discrepant elevator t Am

conlrol mechanism, including perfonning the detailed inspection 00 the replacement part before an

•. . • •• •• ROUrl~G~""U(l~

after 1\)5tallatl011.For certa1ll airplanes, the compliance tIme for tbe mspectl0n IS 12 or 30 days,

depending on airplane line number, total accumulated flight cycles, and approval for operation und mAl.i/SIG

extended twin operations (ETOPS).

F'AA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

1I11NG sv••oo~

We have evaluated all pertinent in[omlation and identified an unsafe condition that is likel 10

exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design. Therefore, we are issuing this AD to

detect and correct a loose bearing in the aft lug of the elevator tab control mechanism, which could

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result in umvanted elevator and tab vibration. The consequent structural failure of the elevator or

horizontal stabilizer could result in loss of aircraft control and structural integrity. This AD requir

accomplishing the actions speci fled in the service infonnation described previously, except as

discussed under "Differences Between this AD and the Service Bulletin." This AD also requires

reporting the inspection results to Boeing.

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