Focuses On Cup Holder At The First Observer Seat In Some 737 Airplanes

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) following an incident in which a cup holder at the First Observer's seat on a Boeing 737 aircraft stuck to a cup and was inadvertently discarded with the cup. This created an open hole, exposing the P6-11 circuit breaker panel just below the cup holder.

The P6-11 circuit breaker panel contains some of the airplane's primary electrical power circuit breakers. Spilling liquid or dropping something metal into the open hole could result in a short circuit of primary electrical power systems during flight.

The SAIB includes Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, and Model 737-8 airplanes, with line numbers 1 through 6,640 inclusive.

Boeing has issued Service Bulletins 737-25-1790 (for Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes), and 737-25-1791 (for Model 737-8 airplanes). This service information provides procedures to secure the cup holder by adding adhesive film to the bottom of the cup holder flange. This improves the retention force to prevent unintended removal of the cup holder.

The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of the affected airplanes improve the safety of their aircraft by incorporating the instructions in the applicable service information at the earliest opportunity. The design change was incorporated in production on airplanes manufactured after line number 6,640, so those airplanes are not affected.

(FAA image)

FMI: SAIB