Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect wear or damage of the door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, and replacement of any discrepant component with a new component. This amendment is prompted by reports of worn and damaged door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure deployment of an escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Non- deployment of an escape slide during an emergency could slow down the evacuation of the airplane and result in injury to passengers or flightcrew. The actions specified by this AD are also intended to detect damaged disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, which could result in unexpected deployment of an escape slide during maintenance, and consequent injury to maintenance personnel.