EASA AD US-2023-09-04: Superseded by FAA AD 2025-25-04

What to do

Operators of affected Boeing 737 airplanes must inspect all escape slide assemblies or review maintenance records to identify part numbers by June 29, 2023. If an escape slide assembly with part number 5A3307-7 is found, it must be replaced with a compliant assembly. Compliance with this directive is mandatory from the effective date, and records must be maintained to demonstrate adherence.

Summary

FAA Airworthiness Directive 2023-09-04 is a final rule addressing certain Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, -900ER series airplanes, and certain 737-8 and -9 models. It targets uncommanded escape slide deployments caused by excessive tension in the inflation cable and movement of the escape slide assembly within its compartment. The directive mandates inspection of all escape slide assemblies to identify affected parts and requires corrective actions as necessary.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory inspections of escape slide assemblies on specified Boeing 737 models to detect affected parts with part number 5A3307-7. It also requires replacement of these parts with updated assemblies having part numbers 5A3307-9 or 5A3307-701 when necessary. Additionally, the FAA allows maintenance records review as an alternative to physical inspection for determining part numbers.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals because uncommanded deployment of escape slides can cause injury to passengers and crew or impede emergency evacuations. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft safety and regulatory adherence. The directive clarifies ongoing obligations to maintain the required configuration and prevents installation of unsafe slide assemblies.

What to do

Summary

What changed

Why it matters

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