AD 2006-18-11 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes Equipped With an Auxiliary Fuel System Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA83NE, SA1078NE, SA725NE, ST00040NY, or ST01337NY

Models named: 737-200, -300, -400, -500 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with an auxiliary fuel system installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA83NE, SA1078NE, SA725NE, ST00040NY, or ST01337NY; having serial numbers (S/N) listed in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1.—Applicability For model— Having S/N(s)— As identified in PATS aircraft service bulletin— 737-200 series airplanes 22431 and 22628 SA83NE-28-SB-002-IR, dated June 7, 2006. 737-200 series airplanes 22600 SA1078NE-28-SB-005-A, Revision A, dated June 21, 2006. 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 seriesairplanes 23800, 22620, 23124, 23468, 26333, 26307, 27456, 27426, and 27906 SA725NE-28-SB-007-B, Revision B, dated July 27, 2006. 737-500 series airplanes 24970 ST00040NY-28-SB-003-IR, dated June 7, 2006. 737-500 series airplanes 28866 ST01337NY-28-SB-002-IR, dated June 7, 2006.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Service Bulletin References (f) The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Part IV “Accomplishment Instructions,” and Part V “Maintenance Requirements,” of the applicable PATS Aircraft service bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD. Deactivate the Auxiliary Fuel System/Revise the Maximum Cargo Weight Limits (g) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. (1) Deactivate the auxiliary fuel system by doing all of the actions specified in Part IV of the applicable service bulletin. (2) Revise the Limitations section of the applicable Boeing airplane flight manual (AFM) to include revised maximum cargo weight limits specified in the applicable PATS Aircraft AFM supplement identified in Table 2 of this AD. Operate the airplane according to the limitations in the applicable AFM supplement. Table 2.—AFM Supplements for Revised Maximum Cargo Weight Limits For model— Having S/N(s)— STC— STC configuration(s)— Use PATS aircraft AFM supplement— 737-200 series airplanes 23124 SA725NE 2 148, dated May 31, 2006. 737-200 series airplanes 22620 and 23468 SA725NE 3 and 8 149, Revision A, dated August 11, 2006. 737-200 series airplanes 22600 SA1078NE 3 Tank forward 152, dated May 31, 2006. 737-200 series airplanes 22431 and 22628 SA83NE 2 155, dated May 31, 2006. 737-300 series airplanes 27456, 26307, and 26333 SA725NE 1 and 6 147, dated May 31, 2006. 737-300 series airplanes 23800 SA725NE 7 151, dated May 31, 2006. 737-400 and -500 series airplanes 27906 and 27426 SA725NE 4 and 5 150, dated May 31, 2006. 737-500 series airplanes 28866 ST01337NY Aft 3-tank 153, Revision A, dated August 3, 2006. 737-500 series airplanes 24970 ST00040NY 7 154, dated May 31, 2006. Repetitive Venting of the Built-Up Pressure in the Auxiliary Fuel Tanks (h) After deactivating the auxiliary fuel system as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD: Following each flight, vent the auxiliary fuel tanks by doing all of the actions specified in paragraph A. of Part V of the applicable service bulletin. Special Flight Permits (i) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the airplane can be modified, provided the airplane is operated with the auxiliary fuel tanks empty of useable fuel. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the PATS Aircraft service bulletins specified in Table 3 of this AD and the PATS Aircraft airplane flight manual supplements specified in Table 4 of this AD, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 3.—Service Bulletins Incorporated by Reference PATS aircraft service bulletin— Revision level— Dated— SA1078NE-28-SB-005-A A June 21, 2006. SA725NE-28-SB-007-B B July 27, 2006. SA83NE-28-SB-002-IR Original June 7, 2006. ST00040NY-28-SB-003-IR Original June 7, 2006. ST01337NY-28-SB-002-IR Original June 7, 2006. Table 4.—Airplane Flight Supplements Incorporated by Reference PATS aircraft airplane flight manual supplement— Revision level— Dated— To the— 147 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-300 Airplane Flight Manual. 148 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-200 Airplane Flight Manual. 149 A August 11, 2006 Boeing 737-200 Airplane Flight Manual. 150 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-400/500 Airplane Flight Manual. 151 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-300 Airplane Flight Manual. 152 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-200 Airplane Flight Manual. 153 A August 3, 2006 Boeing 737-500 Airplane Flight Manual. 154 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-500 Airplane Flight Manual. 155 Original May 31, 2006 Boeing 737-200 Airplane Flight Manual. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact PATS Aircraft, LLC, Product Support, 21652 Nanticoke Avenue, Georgetown, Delaware 19947, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov ; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-14618 Filed 9-11-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a re-evaluation of the floor structure and cargo barriers conducted by the STC holder. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural overload of the auxiliary fuel tank support structure, which could cause the floor beams to fail and resultant damage to the primary flight controls and the auxiliary power unit fuel lines that pass through the floor beams, and consequent loss of control of the airplane. We are also issuing this AD to prevent structural overload of the cargo barriers, which could cause the barriers to fail, allowing the cargo to shift, resulting in possible damage to the auxiliary fuel tanks, residual fuel leakage, and consequent increased risk of a fire.