The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken action to mandate the replacement of lavatory door latches used on Boeing 737 series aircraft following a notable incident in 2024.
The FAA launched a thorough investigation after a passenger on a SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 aircraft was locked in the lavatory for nearly the entire duration of the flight. The investigation revealed that the latch could not be opened due to a broken plastic component.
FAA Issues NPRM: Airworthiness Directive on the Way
Following the incident, the FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), recommending the replacement of dual-latch lavatory door mechanisms used on 737 series aircraft. This proposal will form the basis of a forthcoming Airworthiness Directive (AD).
The proposed change covers the following aircraft models:
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Boeing 737-700
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Boeing 737-800
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Boeing 737-900
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Boeing 737-900ER
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Boeing 737 MAX 8
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Boeing 737 MAX 9
Note: Boeing 737-600 models, which do not have foldable lavatory doors, are excluded from this directive.
Cost and Duration of Modification
According to FAA estimates:
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Each latch replacement will take approximately 2 hours
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Labour cost is estimated at $85 per hour, totalling $170
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The cost of each latch component is $481
Given that each aircraft has two latches, the total compliance cost per aircraft is calculated at $1,302. The total cost for all affected aircraft in the U.S. is estimated to be around $3.4 million.
Airlines to Be Given Four Months
The FAA will accept feedback on the NPRM until 27 May 2025. Once the final AD is published, airline operators will have four months to replace the lavatory door latches.
Flight Safety Comes First
In its statement, the FAA said: “The purpose of this regulation is to enhance passenger safety and ensure rapid response in the event of in-flight emergencies. A passenger being trapped in the lavatory for an extended period poses both psychological and physical risks.”
