AD FAA-2008-0176

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service doors to determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girt, and modification of the escape slide assemblies. This AD also requires concurrent modification of the escape slide latch assemblies; concurrent inspection of the escape slides to determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and replacement of the trigger housing on the regulator valve with an improved trigger housing if necessary; and concurrent replacement of the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a new, improved rod; as applicable. This AD results from reports that certain escape slides did not automatically inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation cable was pulled. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an escape slide to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers.