Electrical Power System: Lug Terminal Tracks

FAA Aviation Safety SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Electrical Power System: Lug Terminal Tracks SAIB: NM-20-06 Date: April 13, 2020 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises registered owners and operators of The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and -9 airplanes equipped with P500, P600, P700, and P800 power panels of inadequate installation of protection covers on certain lug terminal tracks of the P700 and P800 power panels, and potential exposure to electrically powered surfaces.

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

We received reports that, during production, a mechanic accidently touched exposed terminal lugs on a P800 power panel and received a minor electrical shock; there were also two other incidents of minor electrical shocks from exposed terminal lugs on P700 and P800 power panels. Investigation revealed that there were some exposed surfaces that posed a personal safety risk to personnel working around power panels during manufacturing, testing, troubleshooting, or maintenance operations.

Following an investigation done by Boeing, two electrical shock exposure areas were identified as the terminal lug openings on P700 and P800 power panels at the top, bottom, and back of the unit on Model 787-8 airplanes, and the uninsulated end of the terminal lug assemblies of the P500, P600, P700, and P800 power panels on 787-8 and -9 airplanes.

The Boeing Company issued Boeing Alert Service Bulletin B787-81205-SB240044, Issue 001, dated October 23, 2014 (for Model 787-8 airplanes); and Boeing Alert Service Bulletins B787-81205-SB240036 (for Model 787-8 airplanes) and B787-81205-SB240040 (for Model 787-9 airplanes), Issue 001, both dated September 26, 2014. This service information provides instructions for installing protection covers on the lug terminal tracks of the power panels.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of the affected airplanes incorporate the actions outlined in the referenced service information at the earliest opportunity.

For Further Information Contact

Joe Salameh, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3536; email: [email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact:

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; https://www.myboeingfleet.com; or www.myboeingfleet.com/ReverseProxy/Authentication.html.