Summary
The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required repetitive detailed inspections for proper functioning of the girt bar leaf springs for the escape slides to ensure the leaf springs retain the sliders and the required 0.37-inch minimum engagement between the sliders and floor fittings is achieved at passenger doors 1, 2, and 4, and corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM resulted from a report that the escape slides failed to deploy correctly during an operator's tests of the escape slides. This action revises the original NPRM by stating that this proposed AD would not include procedures from the airplane maintenance manuals and component maintenance manuals that allow bending the girt bar retention springs. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent escape slides from disengaging from the airplane during deployment or in use, whichcould result in injuries to passengers or flightcrew.