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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections of certain elevator hinge plates, and corrective action, if necessary. This action also provides for an optional replacement of the elevator hinge plates with new, improved hinge plates, which would end the repetitive inspections. This action is necessary to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the elevator hinge plates, which could lead to the loss of the attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabilizer, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.