EASA AD US-2019-20-07
Flight Controls - Leading Edge Outboard Slats - Operational Checks; Airplane Flight Manual - Amendment
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2019-20-07 addresses all Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. It mandates repetitive operational checks of the leading edge outboard slats and requires revising the airplane flight manual to prohibit flap retraction under icing conditions. The directive also updates maintenance or inspection programs to include new operational checks to ensure flight safety.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive operational checks for the leading edge outboard slats on Boeing 787 series airplanes. It requires revising the airplane flight manual to restrict flap retraction during icing and updating maintenance programs to incorporate these checks. The directive was issued to address a condition where the slat system could be out of position without flight deck annunciation.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk where the leading edge outboard slats may not be correctly positioned, potentially causing insufficient lift. Operators and maintenance teams must comply to prevent unsafe flight conditions and ensure continued airworthiness. Compliance helps avoid incidents related to unnoticed slat mispositioning, which could compromise safe flight and landing.
What To Do
Operators of Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes must perform repetitive operational checks of the leading edge outboard slats as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin B787-81205-SB270051-00 RB. They must revise the airplane flight manual to prohibit flap retraction under icing conditions and update maintenance or inspection programs to include the new operational checks. These actions became effective on October 11, 2019, and comments were invited until November 25, 2019.
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