Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-800 Series Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2001-12-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of all Boeing Model 737-800 series airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit operating the airplane at speeds in excess of 300 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) with speedbrakes extended. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for the AFM revision. This action is prompted by a report indicating that severe vibration of the horizontal stabilizer occurred on a Boeing Model 737-800 series airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent severe vibration of the elevator and elevator tab assembly following deployment of the speedbrakes, which, if not corrected, could result in severe damage to the horizontal stabilizer, followed by loss of controllability of the airplane.