Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem. This proposed AD results from a report of accidents resulting in injuries occurring on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure, causing the doors to rapidly open. In these accidents, the buildup of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by the blockage of the outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are proposing this AD to prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from being ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to control cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight of the airplane.