|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|||
|
FAA Requiring Operators Of Boeing Aircraft To Inspect Cockpit Windows |
||||
 |
July 11, 2010 -
The FAA is issuing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that requires
operators of Boeing 757, 767, and 777 airplanes to either inspect or
replace certain flight deck windows. The AD only affects the forward
viewing windows, not the side windows.
Operators have two
options, begin inspections within 500 flight hours and then continue at
intervals that are specific for each of two window designs or install a
new, redesigned window. The inspection takes about an hour.
The AD is aimed at
preventing smoke, fire or cracking of the inner layer of the forward
viewing window caused by loose electrical connections that are used to
heat the window to prevent ice. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
Over the past two
decades, there have been 11 reports of fire or flames on 757 (five
events), 767 (three events), and 777 (three events) airplanes. Improper
installation resulted in loose, improperly torqued or cross threaded
screws that can contribute to overheating and arcing. The most recent
incident was a May 16, 2010 emergency landing by a United 757 at
The FAA proposed
the AD in March 2008. The agency received extensive comments and
determined additional 757 service information was needed from Boeing.
That in-depth review identified unique issues on the upper electrical
connections on 757s which will be addressed in a separate AD so as not
to hold up the fix for the lower electrical connector issue which
constitutes the majority of the service problems identified to date.
Although there have been no fire events on 747s, the FAA plans to
propose an AD this fall since those later model airplane windows are
similar. This AD affects
1,212
|
||||
