The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was tasked to determine if material degradation in emergency evacuation systems (EES) was a major mode of failure for the air operators. The FAA Aging Mechanical Systems Program was established to examine the current reported problems with EES, to investigate the adequacy of the current testing standard, and to identify potential long-term material problems. The current reported problems with EES, EES testing, and material-related issues were evaluated. EES-related reports and incidents, covering 1 January 1999 to 31 August 2006, were categorized and summarized into a database. Mechanical attachment problems were the primary source of the EES reported incidents, regardless of the aircraft model. This issue must be addressed by the aircraft manufacturers, since the EES manufacturers do not have design responsibility for this portion of the EES system, except for the Boeing 777. Material-related EES reports were mainly due to corrosion, failure, or wearing of mechanical attachment components. Reported slide abrasions, seam tears, punctures, or holes were probably due to improper handling during assembly or improper packing. A small and limited number of slide entries could be associated with material degradation or seam separation. The requirements for EES qualification tests need to be clarified. Some airlines report an inadvertent deployment as a successful test meeting the requirement of testing one slide per door per aircraft type in their fleet every 3 years. While an inadvertent deployment may serve as a go-no-go qualification test, it does not provide sufficient information regarding time of inflation or deflation. Southwest Airlines interpretation of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 121.703 (17) for a reportable Service Difficulty Report is distinctly different from the rest of the industry. It is recommended that the FAA review the requirements and provide guidance to the airlines and maintenance operations for the correct interpretation of this regulation.


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    Title :

    Federal Aviation Administration Aging Mechanical Systems Program: Emergency Evacuation System


    Contributors:
    S. I. Hill (author)

    Publication date :

    2009


    Size :

    92 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







    Federal Aviation Administration International Aviation Safety Assessment Program

    Accardi, T. C. / Flight Safety Foundation / International Federation of Airworthiness et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996


    Federal Aviation Administration International Aviation Safety Assessment Program

    White, W. J. / Royal Aeronautical Society | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996