# Proposed AD FAA-2013-0542: The Boeing Company Airplanes

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2014-05-12
- Products: Boeing
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: July 1, 2013, 78 FR 39193
- Comments due: August 15, 2013
- Became: [AD 2014-05-12](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2014-05-12)
- Docket: FAA-2013-0542 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2013-0542, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2011-NM-162-AD
- FR document: 2013-15660
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/33/e6/33e6ed91520c2f20560ecb0c9c985cbd0b1d1a2d97b4b80402ec434708c51379 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-07-01/pdf/2013-15660.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/07/01/2013-15660/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/BEA5CF93F125F2FC86257B9B00499882.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2013-0542

## Summary

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of each carriage spindle of the outboard mid-flaps; repetitive gap checks of the inboard and outboard carriages of the outboard mid-flaps to detect fractured carriage spindles; measuring to ensure that any new or serviceable carriage spindle meets minimum allowable diameter measurements taken at three locations; repetitive inspections, measurements, and overhaul of the carriage spindles; replacement of any carriage spindle when it has reached its maximum life limit; and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we received a report of failure of both flap carriages. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of the carriages, reducing the repetitive interval for certain inspections and gap checks for certain carriages. This proposed AD would also add an option, for certain replacements, of doing an inspection, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked, corroded, or fractured carriage spindles, which could lead to severe flap asymmetry, and could result in reduced control or loss of controllability of the airplane.

## Notices in this docket

- Jul 1, 2013: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2013-15660, comments due Aug 15, 2013 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/07/01/2013-15660/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)

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