AD 2021-02-19 Repetitive General Visual Inspections Of The Bilge Barriers Located In The Forward And Aft Cargo Compartments

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes.

This AD requires repetitive general visual inspections of the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged or damaged decompression panels, reinstallation of disengaged but undamaged decompression panels, and replacement of damaged decompression panels. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents of torn decompression panels being found in the bilge area. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 8, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA has received reports of multiple incidents of torn decompression panels being found in the bilge area. These torn decompression panels were found after accomplishment of the actions required by AD 2018-05-06, Amendment 39-19215 (83 FR 9688, March 7, 2018) (AD 2018-05-06), which requires repetitive inspections of the bilge barriers in the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged decompression panels; reinstalling any disengaged panels; and replacing the decompression panels with new panels and straps. The torn decompression panels present a different unsafe condition than that addressed by AD 2018-05-06, so the FAA is issuing this AD to address the new unsafe condition. In the event of a cargo fire, significant leakage in the bilge area could result in insufficient Halon concentrations to adequately control the fire. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

In addition to this AD addressing a different unsafe condition than the one specified in AD 2018-05-06, this AD also includes models that are not affected by the unsafe condition specified in AD 2018-05-06. Both ADs include reinstallation and replacement actions as part of the required oncondition actions. AD 2018-05-06 requires certain service information for the reinstallation and replacement instructions, which refer to airplane maintenance manual (AMM) procedures. However, this AD requires using the operator's maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, for the reinstallation and replacement instructions.

FMI: www.regulations.gov