Boeing 787 Image: Boeing
Commercial
Aviation
/ USA
Fire risk
FAA issues AD over Boeing 787 cargo hold
By: Rafael Ramos
On: 5/18/2023
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Image: Boeing
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued yet another airworthiness directive (AD) for the Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10. A potentially unsafe condition was found in the plane's cargo hold.
The front and rear cargo holds have a fault that could pose a high risk in the event of a fire.
AD addresses the issue that has been noted before but still needs to be fixed on 135 aircraft. Thus, a previous AD dealing with the matter had already been issued. However, the FAA was alerted by operators to several incidents of damaged decompression panels found in the hold area.
The final rule was published on May 16th with new procedures for replacing the front and rear hold barrier assembly. The new AD asks for "exchange or replacement of the hold barrier assembly in the front and rear cargo compartments, which ends the repetitive inspections".
According to the FAA, if the problem is not remedied, in the event of a fire in cargo, the firefighting system installed in the baggage hold may be insufficient to control it.
The FAA did not say exactly how much the repair will cost, but each inspection will cost $255, while a replacement could cost as much as $12,695 per aircraft, according to estimates.
Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
|
|