AD 2023-10-09 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Models named: 787-8, 787-9, 787-10. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

For the purposes of this AD, the following terms are defined as follows. (1) A “general visual inspection” is a visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance, unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked. Basic cleaning may be required to ensure appropriate visibility. (2) A “damaged fastener hole” is a fastener hole having damage such as a tear, cut, split, puncture, or delamination. (3) A “serviceable panel” is a decompression panel that has not exceeded the allowable damage limits specified in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) through (iv) of this AD. A decompression panel repaired using a method approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) is considered serviceable. (i) If the damage is on the fastener hole, the damage must not extend beyond the width of the fastener hole. Refer to figure 1 to paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this AD. Where figure 1 to paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this AD refers to tears or tearing, this includes all types of damage as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. BILLING CODE 4910-13-P Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(3)(i) — Allowable damage not extending beyond fastener hole width ER09JN23.000 (ii) If the damage is on one side of the fastener hole and the other side of the fastener hole has no damage, the damage must not extend more than the diameter of the fastener hole. Refer to figure 2 to paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this AD. Where figure 2 to paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this AD refers to tears, tearing, or tearing damage, this includes all types of damage as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. Figure 2 to paragraph (g)(3)(ii) — Allowable damage not extending more than fastener hole diameter ER09JN23.001 (iii) The decompression panel must not have more than two adjacent damaged fastener holes. Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3)(iii): The limits in paragraphs (g)(3)(iii) and (iv) of this AD refer only to the fastener holes found on the vertical and bottom edges of the decompression panel. These limits do not refer to the fastener holes found on the top edge of the decompression panel. (iv) The decompression panel must not have more than four damaged fastener holes.

This AD was prompted by a report indicating operators have found damaged fastener holes on vertical sidewall decompression panels installed in the forward and aft cargo compartments ( i.e., cargo liner panel). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of leakage in the cargo compartments, which in the event of a cargo fire, could lead to insufficient Halon concentrations to adequately control the fire. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the loss of continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

None.