Safety Recommendations A-07-113 through -116

Word from the National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration:

• Require operators of Boeing 777 airplanes to perform regular inspections of the primary and secondary external power receptacles and their protective cover guards to detect signs of worn or overheated pins and thermal damage and repair or replace any damage found. (A-07-113)
• Require Boeing to add a new maintenance task that requires operators to perform scheduled visual inspections of the primary and secondary external power receptacles and their protective cover guards to detect signs of worn or overheated pins and thermal damage before the condition results in electrical arcing and fire. (A-07-114)
• Issue an airworthiness directive requiring operators of Boeing 777 airplanes to comply with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-29-0032 to protect the nose landing gear hydraulic line from the effects of electrical arcing from the primary and secondary external power receptacles. (A-07-115)
• Require Boeing to modify and air carriers to install the protective cover guard for primary and secondary external power receptacles for all model 777 airplanes to eliminate the possibility of debris entering the receptacles and causing electrical shorting and arcing between the receptacle studs. (A-07-116)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/2007/A07_113_116.pdf