THE us Federal Aviation Administration (F) is recommending a series of checks on certain Boeing 757-200 converted freighters, after an incident in which the main cargo door opened during flight, reports London's Air Cargo News.
The F has stopped short of issuing an airworthiness directive but, in a safety information bulletin, highlights the occurrence in February 2021 during which the main door opened while the DHL Air aircraft was climbing out of Leipzig.
While the crew observed a sudden cabin pressure problem, there was no instrument indication that the door had malfunctioned or opened.
The aircraft had been modified by Precision Conversions, including installation of the hydraulically operated main cargo door, plus mechanical latches and locking hooks to secure it shut during flight.
Proximity sensors provide signals to confirm the door is locked and latched, and a warning system is supposed to alert the crew to potential anomalies.
Precision Conversions' most recent revision of its 757 operations manual is supplemented with specific procedures for opening and closing the main door.
Its maintenance manual also contains particular servicing and testing processes including cleaning of view-port mirrors and windows, and painting of latches and lock pins.
The F bulletin recommends that operators perform 'door-open', 'door-closed' and 'latched and locked' test procedures, detailed in the Precision Conversions documents, every 5,000 cycles.
Operators should inspect view-port mirrors and windows for 'smudges, debris and other contaminants', it adds, and check the latches and lock pins for 'paint defects' - carrying out the documented cleaning and painting procedures if required.
Crews should also follow procedures for operating in cold weather, including removal of snow or ice around the cargo door and its mechanisms, and consider the need for additional inspections in freezing fog or icing conditions.
SeaNews Turkey
The F has stopped short of issuing an airworthiness directive but, in a safety information bulletin, highlights the occurrence in February 2021 during which the main door opened while the DHL Air aircraft was climbing out of Leipzig.
While the crew observed a sudden cabin pressure problem, there was no instrument indication that the door had malfunctioned or opened.
The aircraft had been modified by Precision Conversions, including installation of the hydraulically operated main cargo door, plus mechanical latches and locking hooks to secure it shut during flight.
Proximity sensors provide signals to confirm the door is locked and latched, and a warning system is supposed to alert the crew to potential anomalies.
Precision Conversions' most recent revision of its 757 operations manual is supplemented with specific procedures for opening and closing the main door.
Its maintenance manual also contains particular servicing and testing processes including cleaning of view-port mirrors and windows, and painting of latches and lock pins.
The F bulletin recommends that operators perform 'door-open', 'door-closed' and 'latched and locked' test procedures, detailed in the Precision Conversions documents, every 5,000 cycles.
Operators should inspect view-port mirrors and windows for 'smudges, debris and other contaminants', it adds, and check the latches and lock pins for 'paint defects' - carrying out the documented cleaning and painting procedures if required.
Crews should also follow procedures for operating in cold weather, including removal of snow or ice around the cargo door and its mechanisms, and consider the need for additional inspections in freezing fog or icing conditions.
SeaNews Turkey