Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed visual inspection of the upper decompression panel on the flight deck door to verify that a minimum overlap dimension exists, and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by reports indicating that, during production, some upper decompression panels were installed incorrectly on the flight deck door. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect an incorrectly installed upper decompression panel, which could cause the emergency exit panel on the flight deck door to become inoperable, thereby preventing crewmembers from performing essential duties during an emergency evacuation.