Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD US-2021-02-19

Superseded by FAA AD 2021-08-19

Published: Mar 2, 2021
Effective: Mar 8, 2021
Deadline: Mar 8, 2021

Boeing 787 8 9 10

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of affected Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes must perform repetitive general visual inspections of the bilge barriers in the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged or damaged decompression panels. Disengaged but undamaged panels must be reinstalled, and damaged panels must be replaced using the operator's maintenance or inspection program. These actions are effective starting March 8, 2021, and comments on the directive were accepted until April 5, 2021.

Summary

FAA Airworthiness Directive 2021-02-19 is a final rule addressing certain Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes equipped with specific bilge assemblies containing decompression panels. It mandates repetitive general visual inspections of the bilge barriers in the forward and aft cargo compartments to detect disengaged or damaged decompression panels, with required reinstallation or replacement as necessary. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of insufficient Halon concentration in the event of a cargo fire due to torn decompression panels.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces repetitive inspections for torn or disengaged decompression panels in the bilge areas of affected Boeing 787 models, requiring operators to reinstall undamaged panels or replace damaged ones. It addresses a different unsafe condition than the previous AD 2018-05-06 and expands applicability to additional 787 models. The directive also allows the use of the operator's maintenance or inspection program for reinstallation and replacement procedures instead of referencing the airplane maintenance manual.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals because torn decompression panels can lead to significant leakage in the bilge area, potentially reducing Halon fire suppression effectiveness during a cargo fire. Ensuring compliance helps maintain the safety of flight by preventing fire control failure, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and aircraft integrity. Operators, maintenance, and compliance teams must prioritize these inspections to avoid unsafe conditions that could compromise safe flight and landing.

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