Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800 Series Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2001-09-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Boeing Model 737- 600, -700, -700C, and -800 series airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires inspection of the small jam nut on the elevator tab control rods to detect inspection putty and to determine its condition; a torque check of the small and large jam nuts on the tab control rod, if necessary; and corrective actions, as applicable. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires a one-time inspection for torque of the small and large jam nuts on the tab control rods; and corrective actions, as applicable. This action is prompted by reports indicating that operators found problems with the elevator tab control rods during accomplishment of an existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive freeplay in the tab control mechanism, which could result in elevator tab flutter and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.