AD 2006-20-12 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Airplanes

Models named: 717-200. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-28-0004, Revision 3, dated June 21, 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. Replace the Grounded Clamp Bases (f) Within 78 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the lightning critical clamp bases of the fuel tank vent system with improved clamp bases, in accordance with Table 1 of Figure 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 717-28-0004, Revision 3, dated June 21, 2006. Before further flight after the replacement, check the electrical bond of the modified self-bonding mounting clamps in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. If any electrical bond fails the check, before further flight, repair the electrical bond of the mounting clamp in accordance with the service bulletin; or according to a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Chapter 28-00-00 of the Boeing 717 Aircraft Maintenance Manual and Chapter 20-50-01 of the Boeing DC, MD, and 717 Standard Wiring Practices Manual are one approved method. Credit for Previous Service Bulletin (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 717-28-0004, Revision 2, dated March 11, 2005, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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) 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 (i) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 717-28-0004, Revision 3, dated June 21, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), 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 September 25, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-16199 Filed 10-3-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from an investigation that revealed the aluminum foil strip on the nylon base of the ground clamps can fracture or separate from the base. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the fuel pipes are properly bonded to the airplane structure. Improper bonding could prevent electrical energy from a lightning strike from dissipating to the airplane structure, which could result in a fuel tank explosion.