AD NUMBER: 2015-16-01

PRODUCT: Certain Boeing Model 737 airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-19-11 for the product listed above.

AD 2012-19-11 required incorporating design changes to improve the reliability of the cabin altitude warning system by installing a redundant cabin altitude pressure switch, replacing the aural warning module (AWM) with a new or reworked AWM, and changing certain wire bundles or connecting certain previously capped and stowed wires as necessary.

For certain airplanes, AD 2012-19-11 also required prior or concurrent incorporation of related design changes by modifying the instrument panels, installing light assemblies, modifying the wire bundles, and installing a new circuit breaker, as necessary.

This AD was prompted by the report of a flightcrew not receiving an aural warning during a lack-of-cabin pressurization event.

The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the loss of cabin altitude warning, which could delay flightcrew recognition of a lack of cabin pressurization, and could result in incapacitation of the flightcrew due to hypoxia (a lack of oxygen in the body), and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 15, 2015.

FMI: AD