NTSB urges FAA and Boeing to address Boeing 757 slide and latch faults

The NTSB noted, "FedEx records indicate that the bannis latch was inspected on January 12, 2023. The work card indicated to check the cables for fraying. At that time, there should have been a chain in the latch assembly and not a cable."

The NTSB reviewed the 757 and FedEx’s maintenance manuals and the Boeing Illustrated Parts Catalog, observing "inconsistent, conflicting depictions" of the bannis latch. They could mislead maintenance crews and result in non-conforming latches being installed.

Consequently, the NTSB recommended that Boeing update their manuals and issue a new service bulletin for operators to inspect and possibly replace bannis latches on 727, 737, and 757 aircraft. Their guidance stated, "The NTSB also concludes that ensuring operators’ maintenance documentation contains consistent, accurate depictions of the correct configuration of the bannis latch assembly would help prevent the use of non-compliant components that could lead to delayed evacuation during an emergency should the slide become jammed."

The incident on October 4, 2023, occurred at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport and resulted in the aircraft being scrapped. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the three people onboard.