Escape Slide Maintenance Tasks and Intervals - JASC 2565

1 FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Escape Slide Maintenance Tasks and Intervals - JASC 2565 SAIB: NE-19-03 Date: February 19, 2019 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, owners, operators, and certificated repair facilities of Air Cruisers Company (Air Cruisers)/Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems (ZAES) Escape Slides and Slide/Raft Systems to updates in the ZAES Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs) that better ensure the integrity and operation of aging evacuation slides and slide/raft systems aged 15 years and older.

These ZAES CMM updates emphasize the importance of the inspection and testing protocols at recommended intervals; support the intention of TSO requirements with respect to maintenance instructions, such as TSO-C69c paragraph 5a(6); and provide repair facilities of aging slides with additional test and checks to help detect un-airworthy slide inflatables prior to failure. The CMM updates also facilitate removing aging slides from service. These improvements and updates, currently published in the latest revisions of ZAES CMMs outlined in the Related Service Information section of this SAIB, will be included in all future ZAES CMMs.

At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Background On September 16, 2013, while taxiing at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, a Boeing MD-80 series aircraft encountered smoke in the aircraft cabin. An emergency evacuation of the aircraft was subsequently ordered, and the evacuation slides were deployed. Upon activation of the evacuation slides, the Left Hand Forward (L-1) slide deployed but did not remain inflated. No injuries resulted from the failure of the slide due to the actions of a flight attendant preventing passengers from evacuating the aircraft through the L-1 exit.

After an investigation into the failed slide, Air Cruisers, the evacuation slide manufacturer, concluded that the slide failed due to a seam separating. The slide’s seam peel strength test results indicated that the seams of the inflatable no longer had sufficient adhesive strength to ensure the integrity of the inflatable. Additionally, the deterioration of the adhesive strength was most likely a result of age or age related effects.

As a result, Air Cruisers/ZAES issued Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems Service Information Letter (SIL) 25-346, dated December 13, 2018, to notify all operators of revised maintenance tasks and intervals in their ZAES CMMs to assist with the evaluation of evacuation slides and slide/raft systems for continued service. This notification emphasizes the importance of the inspection and testing protocols at recommended intervals, specifically for aging evacuation systems 15 years and older, and provides more detail on operating/storage conditions by including limits on both in the service instructions.

2 Recommendation The FAA recommends that all operators and holders of Air Cruisers/ZAES evacuation slides and slide/raft systems review Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems SIL 25-346, dated December 13, 2018, and use the revised ZAES CMMs as applicable.

For Further Information Contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY, 11590; phone: (516) 228-7323; fax: (516) 794-5531; email: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact Air Cruisers Company, 1747 State Route 34 South, Wall Township, NJ, 07727; phone: (732) 681- 3527; e-mail: [email protected].

Related Service Information We reviewed the following ZAES service information. The service information identifies the Escape Slides and Slide/Raft Systems with the latest information. These documents are distinct since they apply to different Escape Slide and Slide/Raft System models or configurations. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 727-100 Aircraft Slide Evacuation System Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-28, Rev. No. 14, dated June 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 707 (990 Hatch) Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-32, Rev. No. 7, dated November 2, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 727/737 Evacuation Slide Systems Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-34, Rev. No. 18, dated November 12, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems BAe146 Aircraft Forward and Aft Slide Evacuation Systems Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-36, Rev. No. 28, dated June 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 727 Aircraft Evacuation Slide Systems Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-38, Rev. No. 16, dated November 9, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A300/A310 Inflatable Evacuation Slides with Decorative Cover Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-40, Rev. No. 14, dated October 9, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A310 Inflatable Evacuation Overwing Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-41, Rev. No. 16, dated July 10, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A300 Inflatable Evacuation Slides with Decorative Cover Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-42, Rev. No. 15, dated December 14, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 737-200/300 Aircraft Forward and Aft Doors Lightweight Evacuation Slides Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-43, Rev. No. 19, dated December 4, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems MD-80/MD-90/717 Aircraft Tail Cone Emergency Exit Evacuation Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-49, Rev. No. 26, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A300 Slide/Raft Evacuation Systems with Reservoir and Valve Assembly Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-49, Rev. No. 17, dated November 19, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems MD-80/MD-90 Aircraft Aft Service Door Evacuation Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-50, Rev. No. 20, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems Fokker 70 and 100 Aircraft Evacuation Slide Forward Passenger Door Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-51, Rev. No. 14, dated November 14, 2018.

3 • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 737 – Aircraft Aft Door Lightweight Evacuation Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-54, Rev. No. 16, dated November 2, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 737 – Aircraft Forward Door Lightweight Evacuation Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-55, Rev. No. 15, dated November 5, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A318/A319/A320/A321 Evacuation Slide with Decorative Cover Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-56, Rev. No. 24, dated December 4, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B767 Type I Door Evacuation Slide Assembly Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-60, Rev. No. 18, dated December 14, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems Fokker F-28 MK-4000 Aircraft Evacuation Slide Forward Service Emergency Door Component Maintenance Manual 25-60-98, Rev. No. 9, dated June 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems L1011 Evacuation Slide Assemblies with Reservoir and Valve Assembly Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-01, Rev. No. 22, dated October 24, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems DC-10 Overland Evacuation System Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-03, Rev. No. 11, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems DC-10 Overwater Evacuation System Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-13, Rev. No. 18, dated October 24, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems DC-10 Overwater Evacuation System Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-14, Rev. No. 20, dated June 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems BAe 146 Aircraft Slide/Raft Evacuation System Type I Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-19, Rev. No. 14, dated June 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A319/A320/A321 Evacuation Slide/Raft; A319/A320/A321 Evacuation Slide; A318 Evacuation Slide/Raft Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-20, Rev. No. 24, dated December 4, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757 Aircraft Single Lane Slide/Raft System Door 1, L.H. and R.H. Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-26, Rev. No. 17, dated June 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777 B777-8/9 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 1 Dual Lane Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-31, Rev. No. 18, dated December 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 2 Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-32, Rev. No. 18, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777 B777-8/9 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 3 Dual Lane Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-33, Rev. No. 19, dated December 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 4 Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-34, Rev. No. 20, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777-300 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 4 Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-35, Rev. No. 15, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757-200/300 Aircraft Evacuation Slide/Raft System Door 1, L.H. and R.H. Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-36, Rev. No. 15, dated December 14, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems IL-96 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door A, B & C Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-37, Rev. No. 8, dated November 12, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems IL-96 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door D Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-38, Rev. No. 8, dated November 12, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A300/A310 Inflatable Evacuation Slide/Raft with Decorative Cover Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-39, Rev. No. 10, dated December 14, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777-200LR/300ER B777-8/9 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 4 / Door 5 Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-40, Rev. No. 15, dated December 20, 2018.

4 • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems B777-200LR B777-8/9 Evacuation Slide/Raft Door 2 Dual Lane Component Maintenance Manual 25-61-41, Rev. No. 13, dated December 20, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757 Aircraft Slide System Door 1, L.H. and R.H. Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-01, Rev. No. 17, dated November 19, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757 Aircraft Slide System Door 2 Single Lane, L.H. and R.H. Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-02, Rev. No. 16, dated November 29, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757 Aircraft Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-03, Rev. No. 14, dated November 27, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757 Aircraft Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-04, Rev. No. 18, dated December 4, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757 Aircraft Evacuation Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-05, Rev. No. 16, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 707 & 720 Aircraft Type 88 Evacuation Slide Systems Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-09, Rev. No. 10, dated October 19, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A321 Aircraft Door 2 Evacuation Slide Systems Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-10, Rev. No. 13, dated December 10, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems A321 Aircraft Door 3 Evacuation Slide Systems Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-11, Rev. No. 14, dated December 10, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems MD-80/MD-90/717 Aircraft Forward Passenger/Service Door Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-16, Rev. No. 12, dated December 4, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 737-300/400/500/600/700/800 Aircraft Forward/Aft Door Evacuation Slide; 737-600/700/800 Aircraft Aft Door Evacuation Slide Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-17, Rev. No. 12, dated July 10, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 757-200/300 Aircraft Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-19, Rev. No. 10, dated December 14, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems BAC-111 Aircraft Slide Evacuation System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-22, Rev. No. 9, dated November 15, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems DC-8 Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-24, Rev. No. 11, dated November 16, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 727-200 Aircraft Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-25, Rev. No. 10, dated November 9, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems Evacuation Slide Assembly CRJ900 Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-28, Rev. No. 2, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems TU-214 and TU-204 Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-29, Rev. No. 7, dated November 21, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems TU-214 and TU-204 Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-30, Rev. No. 7, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems TU-214 and TU-204 Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-31, Rev. No. 7, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems TU-214 and TU-204 Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-32, Rev. No. 7, dated December 3, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems Evacuation Slide Assembly Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-35, Rev. No. 7, dated November 16, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems 707/720 Aircraft Evacuation Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-38, Rev. No. 7, dated November 5, 2018. • Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems BD-500 Aircraft Single Lane Off-Wing Door Evacuation Ramp/Slide System Component Maintenance Manual 25-66-43, Rev. No. 4, dated December 10, 2018.