AD 97-17-01

97-17-01 BOEING: Amendment 39-10102. Docket 96-NM-152-AD.

Applicability: Model 737-100 and -200 series airplanes equipped with Bendix main wheel assemblies having part number 2601571-1, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent failure of the wheel flanges, which could result in damage to the hydraulics systems, jammed flight controls, loss of electrical power, or other combinations of failures and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

NOTE 2: Allied Signal, Aircraft Landing Systems, Service Information Letter #619, dated February 26, 1997, is an additional source of service information for appropriate wheel half serial numbers.

(a) For airplanes equipped with a Bendix main wheel assembly having part number (P/N) 2601571-1 with an inboard wheel half with serial number (S/N) B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-1721 or lower; or with an outboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-0863 or lower; accomplish the following:

(1) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at each tire change until the replacement required by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished: Accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Allied Signal Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated April 26, 1988.

(i) Clean any inboard and outboard wheel half specified in paragraph (a) of this AD. And

(ii) Inspect the wheel halves for corrosion or missing paint. If any corrosion is found, or if any paint is missing in large areas, prior to further flight, strip or remove paint, and remove any corrosion. And

(iii) Perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracks of the bead seat area.

(2) If any cracking is found during the inspections required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, repair or replace the wheel halves with serviceable wheel halves in accordance with procedures specified in the Component Maintenance Manual.

(b) For airplanes equipped with a Bendix main wheel assembly having P/N 2601571-1 with an inboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-1721 or lower; or with an outboard wheel half with S/N B-5898 or lower, or S/N H-0863 or lower; accomplish the following: Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, in accordance with Bendix Service Information Letter (SIL) 392, Revision 1, dated November 15, 1979. Accomplishment of the replacement constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

(1) Remove any inboard wheel half specified in paragraph (b) of this AD, and replace it with an inboard wheel half having P/N 2607046, S/N 5899 or greater, or S/N H-1722 or greater. And

(2) Remove any outboard wheel half specified in paragraph (b) of this AD, and replace it with an outboard wheel half having P/N 2607047, S/N B-5899 or greater, or S/N H- 0864 or greater.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) Certain actions shall be done in accordance with Bendix Service Information Letter (SIL) 392, Revision 1, dated November 15, 1979. Certain other actions shall be done in accordance with Allied Signal Service Bulletin No. 737-32-026, dated April 26, 1988. This incorporationby reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Allied Signal Aerospace Company, Aircraft Landing Systems, 3520 Westmoor Street, South Bend, Indiana 46628-1373. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 16, 1997.