The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) for Embraer Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 aircraft. The AD resulted from "a report indicating that the aft cargo door of a Model ERJ 190 airplane opened in flight just after departure, and from a report indicating that a Model ERJ 170 airplane dispatched with an unsecured forward cargo door."The intention of the AD is to prevent a cargo door from opening during flight, which could lead to structural failure or loss of control of the aircraft.
The AD 2007-06-53 instructs operators of ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 aircraft to carry out the following immediate action:
Before each flight after closing the cargo doors, verify that the forward and aft cargo doors are closed flush with the fuselage skin, and that all 4 latched and locked indicators at the bottom of each door are green.The above preflight verification of correct door closure should be performed before every flight -- but not to exceed 150 cycles -- pending accomplishment of a more detailed inspection described in the AD.
Persons qualified to do this verification are mechanics and flight crew members.
If it cannot be verified that both doors are closed flush with the fuselage skin, and that all 4 latched and locked indicators at the bottom of each door are green, repair before further flight.
Specifically, the AD requires "a detailed inspection of the forward and aft cargo doors to detect signs of interference between the lock handle and the aft edge liner assembly" and "a detailed inspection for signs of damage of the lateral roller fitting on the forward and aft cargo door frames at the fuselage."
Click here to read the entire FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive, AD 2007-06-53.
Click here for a printable ('pdf') version of AD 2007-06-53.
