Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain transport category airplanes identified above. The existing AD currently requires modification of the reinforced flight deck door and other actions related to the reinforced flight deck door. Those other actions include modifying the door, inspecting and modifying wiring in the area, and revising the maintenance program to require more frequent testing of the decompression panels of the flight deck door. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the existing requirement of a one-time inspection for chafing of wire bundles in the area of the flight deck door and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would remove certain airplanes from the applicability. This proposed AD results from a report of smoke and fumes in the cockpit of a Model 737-300 series airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent release of the decompression latch and consequent opening of the decompression panel in the flight deck door, or penetration of the flight deck door by smoke or shrapnel, any of which could result in injury to the airplane flightcrew. We are also proposing this AD to detect and correct wire chafing, which could result in arcing, fire, and/or reduced controllability of the airplane.