Be sure to keep the cargo door shut!

The USA’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a special airworthiness information bulletin addressing a potential safety concern regarding the main deck cargo door on Boeing B757-200 freighter conversions completed under the firm Precision Conversions’s 'supplemental type certificate’ ST01529SE.

The bulletin follows an incident on 13 February 2021, when a Boeing B757-236 converted freighter experienced an in-flight opening of its cargo door during climb. The crew noticed a cabin pressure anomaly but received no cockpit warning about the door malfunction. The aircraft returned safely to the departure airport.

While the FAA has not issued an airworthiness directive, it recommends operators conduct specific maintenance checks every 5,000 flight cycles or hours to ensure proper door locking and sensor function. It also advises inspections for contamination, paint damage and operational procedures in cold weather. Further regulatory action remains under review. (ah)