AD 90-10-51

90-10-51 BOEING: Amendment 39-6700. Final copy of telegraphic AD. Docket No. 90-NM- 99-AD.

Applicability: Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, line number 1488 through line number 1866, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent the separation of the control wheel from the control column, accomplish the following:

A. Within 72 hours (clock hours, not flight hours) after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the control wheels (pilot and co-pilot) for missing cotter pins and damaged threads on the attach bolts.

1. If the cotter pin is in place, properly installed, and no exposed bolt thread damage is evident, no further action is required.

2. If the cotter pin is missing, prior to further flight, check for proper installation of the nut and install a new cotter pin in accordance with the Boeing Model 737 Maintenance Manual.

3. If any exposed bolt thread is found damaged, prior to further flight, replace the nut, bolt, and cotter pin with new parts in accordance with the Boeing Model 737 Maintenance Manual.

B. Within 48 hours after completion of the inspection required by paragraph A., above, for each airplane, submit a report of findings, positive or negative, to the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate (Fax Number (206) 431-1913). This report must include the model of airplane inspected and line number.

C. An alternate means of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

NOTE: The request should be submitted directly to the Manager, Seattle ACO, and a copy sent to the cognizant FAA Principal Inspector (PI). The PI will then forward comments or concurrence to the Seattle ACO.

D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service documents from the manufacturer, may obtain copies upon request to Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124. These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Renton, Washington.

Portions of this amendment were effective earlier to recipients of telegraphic AD T90- 10-51, issued May 15, 1990. This amendment (39-6700, AD 90-10-51) becomes effective on August 27, 1990.