Fan Cowl Handling During Closure

For Closing Left Side, I/B and O/B - 737 MAX Fan Cowls

Stabilize Fan Cowl and use Edges as Alignment Points.

1) Open IDG Access Panel and Hand Hold Fan Cowl Frame.
2) Use Edge of Fan Cowl as an Alignment Guide.
Reason:
This Guide is in support of defect
reduction to the Engine Gearbox
by providing instructions to reduce
FC swaying and prevent damage as
documented on C1470025276.

Boeing Proprietary
Fan Cowl Handling During Closure
For Closing Right Side I/B and O/B - 737 MAX Fan Cowls

Stabilize Fan Cowl and use Edges as Alignment Points.

1) Open OT Access Panel and Hand Hold Fan Cowl Frame.
2) Recommended that a second mechanic assists in aligning the Fan Cowl
fwd v-blade into Inlet Tv-chord interface. Reason:
This Guide is in support of defect
reduction to the Engine Gearbox
by providing instructions to reduce
FC swaying and prevent damage as
documented on C1470025276.

Boeing Proprietary
Fan Cowl Handling During Closure
The 737 MAX Fan Cowl uses a fwd Spring Door Opening System (SDOS) and aft hold open rod (HOR) to hold the doors
open. When closing the Fan Cowl door, the SDOS aids closing of the door by relieving some of the weight until
approximately the last 12 inches of closure. At that point, the SDOS disengages and no longer supports any weight of
the Fan Cowl. The remaining 12 inches of closure must be manually controlled by the mechanics. If no mechanic
assists at this point the Fan Cowl door will fall freely the remaining distance and may cause damage to personnel and
surrounding structure. At this time, multiple Engines have been damaged by contact with the Fan Cowl during the
door closure

Based on lessons learned from the flight test program, the Fan Cowl door can be closed using the integrated drive
generator (IDG) and oil tank (OT) access door opening as hand holds to guide the doors closed. After the HOR and
SDOS are unlocked and the door begins to close, the access doors are opened and the mechanics holds the bottom
portion of the access door frame from the outside as the Fan Cowl door lowers to closure. This method of guiding the
Fan Cowl door all the way to the point of closure will prevent the door from falling closed and avoid injury or engine
damage.

The following note will be added to all Boeing installation plans and to the Airplane Maintenance Manual;

CAUTION: THE FAN COWL MUST BE LOWERED GENTLY INTO THE “FREE HANG” POSITION JUST PRIOR TO THE
RADIAL RETENTION PIN ENGAGEMENT TO AVOID EBU DAMAGE. RECOMMEND OPENING THE OIL ACCESS DOOR OR
IDG ACCESS DOOR AND USE THE OPENING AS A HAND HOLD TO CONTROL THE FAN COWLS RATE OF DECENT UNTIL
SUCH ENGAGEMENT. IMPORTANCE SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE FWD EDGE V-BLADE PRIOR
TO RELEASING FULLY.
Boeing Proprietary for additional information, Contact: DE Nicole Evans 425-717-4327