Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes with off-wing escape slide systems installed. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight loss of the off-wing escape slide. This AD requires modifying the door latch fittings and witness mark placards of the off-wing escape slide systems; and for certain airplanes, replacing the bearings and lockbase retainer in the door latch assembly, relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive door locking and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD would also require installing a bumper assembly and placards. We are issuing this AD to prevent the in-flight loss of the off-wing escape slide, which could result in the unavailability of the escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Additionally, the departed slide could cause damage to the fuselage, wing, flaps, or stabilizer, which could degrade flight control.