AD NUMBER: 2014-05-21

PRODUCT: All Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes.
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2014-05-21
ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-11-04 for the products listed above.

AD 2008-11-04 required repetitive inspections for cracking in and around the upper and lower hinge cutouts of the forward entry and forward galley service doorways, and corrective actions if necessary.

This new AD reduces the inspection threshold for cracking in and around the galley service doorway hinge cutouts, adds inspections of certain repaired structure at the forward entry and galley service doorway upper and lower hinge cutouts, expands the inspection area at the forward entry and galley service doorway upper and lower hinge cutouts, and removes certain airplanes from the applicability.

This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks in the skin and/or bear strap at the forward galley service doorway hinge cutouts, and multiple reports of cracking under the repairs installed at the hinge cutouts.

The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 22, 2014.

FMI: AD