Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require measuring the turnbuckle gap of the inflation cylinder of the off-wing emergency escape slide; corrective action if necessary; and installing a safety device on the inflation cylinder of the off-wing emergency escape slide. This proposed AD is prompted by a report indicating that the inflation trigger cable may inadvertently disconnect from the inflation turnbuckle of the inflation cylinder of the off-wing emergency escape slide, due to incorrect spacing of the cable insertion gap; and additional reports indicating that the pull force increase mechanism on the off-wing charged cylinder assemblies of the escape slide may be inadvertently disengaged. We are proposing this AD to prevent failed deployment of the emergency escape slide during an emergency, which could impede an evacuation and result in injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers, or inadvertent inflation and loss of an emergency escape slide during flight, which could result in possible structural damage to the airplane.