[Federal Register: March 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 59)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 15880-15881]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr08-10]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0013; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-230-AD; Amendment 39-15448;

AD 2008-07-07]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-200 Series Airplanes Equipped with an Auxiliary
Fuel Tank System Installed in Accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SA1350NM

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 727-
200 series airplanes. This AD requires deactivating auxiliary fuel tank systems installed in
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1350NM. This AD results from fuel tank
system reviews conducted by the manufacturer that identified potential unsafe conditions for which
the manufacturer has not provided corrective actions. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential
of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective April 30, 2008.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at

the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical

Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801
Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4148;
fax (316) 946-4107.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an

airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes. That
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 14, 2008 (73 FR 2204). That NPRM
proposed to require deactivating auxiliary fuel tank systems installed in accordance with
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1350NM.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the
comments received. Linda Pulson, a private citizen, and Boeing support the NPRM.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

The following table provides the estimated costs for the 25 U.S.-registered airplanes to comply
with this AD. Based on these figures, the estimated costs for U.S. operators could be as high as
$162,000 to prepare and report the deactivation procedures, and $90,000 to deactivate the tank.

Estimated Costs
Work Average labor
Action Parts Cost per airplane
hours rate per hour
Report 1 $80 None $80
Preparation of tank
80 $80 None $6,400
deactivation procedure
Physical tank deactivation 30 $80 $1,200 $3,600

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety.
Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ''Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ''Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III,
Section 44701: General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting
safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and
procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the
scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking action.

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Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ''significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034,
February 26, 1979), and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part
39 as follows:

PART 39–AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

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 AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
FAA
Aircraft Certification Service www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2008-07-07 DTAA, Inc.: Amendment 39-15448. Docket No. FAA-2008-0013; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-230-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 30, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes, certificated in any category,
equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank system installed in accordance with Supplemental Type
Certificate SA1350NM.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from fuel tank system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are
issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the
compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Report

(f) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, submit a report to the Manager, Wichita
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. The report must include the information listed in
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements contained in this AD, and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(1) The airplane registration and serial number.
(2) The usage frequency in terms of total number of flights per year and total number of flights
per year for which the auxiliary fuel tank system is used.

Prevent Usage of Auxiliary Fuel Tank

(g) On or before December 16, 2008, deactivate the auxiliary fuel tank system, in accordance
with a deactivation procedure approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO. Any auxiliary fuel tank
system component that remains on the airplane must be secured and must have no effect on the

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continued operational safety and airworthiness of the airplane. Deactivation may not result in the
need for additional Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).

Note 1: Appendix A of this AD provides criteria that must be included in the deactivation
procedure. The proposed deactivation procedures should be submitted to the Manager, Wichita ACO
as soon as possible to ensure timely review and approval, prior to implementation.

Note 2: For technical information, contact Steve Forness, DTAA, Inc., 101 Deer Meadow Court,
St. Charles, Missouri 63304; telephone (636) 928-9606; fax (314) 749-7513.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h)(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD,
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which
the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards
District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) None.

Appendix A–Deactivation Criteria

The auxiliary fuel tank system deactivation procedure required by paragraph (g) of this AD
should address the following actions.
(1) Permanently drain the auxiliary fuel tank system tanks, and clear them of fuel vapors to
eliminate the possibility of out-gassing of fuel vapors from the emptied auxiliary tank.
(2) Disconnect all auxiliary fuel tank system electrical connections from the fuel quantity
indication system (FQIS), float, pressure and transfer valves and switches, and all other electrical
connections required for auxiliary fuel tank system operation, and stow them at the auxiliary fuel tank
interface.
(3) Disconnect all auxiliary fuel tank system bleed-air connections, cap them at the bleed air
source, and secure them.
(4) Disconnect all auxiliary fuel tank system fuel supply and fuel vent plumbing interfaces with
airplane original equipment manufacturer (OEM) fuel tanks, cap them at the airplane tank side, and
secure them. All disconnected auxiliary fuel tank system vent systems must not alter the OEM fuel
tank vent system configuration or performance. All empty auxiliary fuel tank system tanks must be
vented to eliminate the possibility of structural deformation during cabin decompression. The
configuration must not permit the introduction of fuel vapor into any compartments of the airplane.
(5) Pull and collar all circuit breakers used to operate the auxiliary fuel tank system.
(6) Revise the weight and balance document, if required, and obtain FAA approval.
(7) Amend the applicable sections of the applicable Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to indicate
that the auxiliary fuel tank system is deactivated. Remove auxiliary fuel tank system operating
procedures to ensure that only the OEM fuel system operational procedures are contained in the
AFM. Amend the Limitations Section of the AFM to indicate that the AFM Supplement for the STC
is not in effect. Place a placard in the flight deck indicating that the auxiliary fuel tank system is
deactivated. The AFM revisions specified in this paragraph may be accomplished by inserting a copy
of this AD into the AFM.

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 (8) Amend the applicable sections of the applicable airplane maintenance manual to remove
auxiliary fuel tank system maintenance procedures.
(9) After the auxiliary fuel tank system is deactivated, accomplish procedures such as leak
checks, pressure checks, and functional checks deemed necessary before returning the airplane to
service. These procedures must include verification that the basic airplane OEM FQIS, fuel
distribution, and fuel venting systems function properly and have not been adversely affected by
deactivation of the auxiliary fuel tank system.
(10) Include with the proposed deactivation procedures any relevant information or additional
steps that are deemed necessary by the operator to comply with the deactivation of the auxiliary fuel
tank system and return of the airplane to service.

Issued in Renton, Washington on March 18, 2008.

Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-6058 Filed 3-25-08; 8:45 am]