Summary
This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. That proposed rule would have required replacing certain door-mounted escape slides and slide-raft assemblies with new slide-raft assemblies; replacing certain escape system latches with new latches; and modifying or replacing certain counterbalance assemblies with new counterbalance assemblies; as applicable. This new action revises the proposed rule by extending the compliance time, adding requirements to install a longer firing cable and test the valve of the inflation trigger system of the slide-raft, and, for certain airplanes, adding procedures to adjust the door counter balance systems. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent the escape slides and slide-rafts of the forward and mid-cabin entry and service doors from being too steep for evacuation in the event that the airplane rotates onto the aft fuselage into the extreme tip-back condition. In the extreme tip-back condition, the forward and mid-cabin exits could result in steeper sliding angles, which could cause injury to passengers and crewmembers during an emergency evacuation. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.