AD 91-18-17

91-18-17 BOEING: Amendment 39-8020. Docket No. 90-NM-264-AD.

Applicability: Model 757 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-52- 0052, Revision 1, dated June 20, 1991, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required within the next 90 days after the effective date of this AD, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent the hazard of an unexpectedly powered door opening and escape slide deployment when ground personnel open from the outside an armed passenger door with a broken disarm cable, accomplish the following:

A. For passenger doors 1, left and right, and 2, left and right: Measure the clearance between the lower end of the disarm cable and the pin in the disarm lever, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-52-0052, Revision 1, dated June 20, 1991.

1. If the clearance between the end of the cable and the pin is less than 0.010 inch, prior to further flight, inspect the cable for damage or breakage.

a. If the cable is damaged or broken, prior to further flight, replace the cable in accordance with the service bulletin.

b. If the cable is not damaged or broken, grind the cable end and/or swaged ball and reinstall the cable into the door in accordance with the service bulletin.

2. If the clearance is 0.010 inch or more, no modification or replacement is required.

3. Functionally test the door in accordance with the service bulletin.

B. For passenger doors 4, left and right: Disconnect the disarm cable from the disarm lever on the door handle box, and inspect the cable for damage or breakage in accordance with the service bulletin.

1. Prior to further flight, replace any damaged or broken cable in accordance with the service bulletin.

2. For any cable that is not damaged or broken, grind the cable end and/or swaged ball and reinstall the cable into the door, in accordance with the service bulletin.

3. Functionally test the door in accordance with the service bulletin.

C. For airplanes on which the requirements of paragraph A. or B. of this AD were accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-52-0052, dated August 30, 1990, no further action is necessary.

D. An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

E. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124. These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.

This amendment (39-8020, AD 91-18-17) becomes effective on September 30, 1991.