Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-300, -400 and -500 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement, with new parts, of the existing actuators or the rod ends on the existing actuators at wing leading edge slat positions 1, 2, 5, and 6. This proposal is prompted by reports indicating that the rod ends on several leading edge slat actuators have fractured. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking of the rod ends of the leading edge slat actuators, which could result in uncommanded deployment of the wing leading edge slat and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.