AD 2007-11-08 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes

Models named: 727, 727C, 727-100, 727 -100C, 727-200, 727-200F series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727 -100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD 99-12-52 (f) For airplanes with 50,000 or more total flight hours as of June 28, 1999 (the effective date of AD 99-12-52): Within 20 days after June 28, 1999, accomplish the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD. (g) For airplanes with less than 50,000 total flight hours, but more than 30,000 total flight hours, as of June 28, 1999: Within 30 days after June 28, 1999, accomplish the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD. (h) For airplanes with 30,000 total flight hours or less, as of June 28, 1999: Within 90 days after June 28, 1999, accomplish the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD. Detailed Inspection, Corrective Action, and Installation (i) Perform a detailed inspection of the in-tank fuel boost pump wire bundles, and applicable corrective actions; and, except as provided in paragraph (j) of this AD, install sleeving over the wire bundles; in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0126, dated May 24, 1999; Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28A0126, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2000; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0132, dated February 22, 2007. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.” Installation: Possible Deferral (j) Installation of sleeving over the wire bundles, as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, may be deferred if, within 18 months or 6,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first, after accomplishment of the inspection and applicable corrective actions required by paragraph (i), the following actions are accomplished: Perform a detailed inspection of the in-tank fuel boost pump wire bundles, and applicable corrective actions; and install sleeving over the wire bundles; in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0126, dated May 24, 1999, or Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28A0126, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2000; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0132, dated February 22, 2007. Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions (k) Repeat the detailed inspection and applicable corrective actions required by paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 30,000 flight hours, until the initial inspection, applicable corrective actions, and engine fuel suction feed operational test required by paragraph (l) of this AD have been done. New Requirements of This AD Inspection, Test, and Related Investigative and Corrective Actions (l) For all airplanes: Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD or 5,000 flight hours after the last inspection or corrective action done before the effective date of this AD as required by paragraph (i), (j), or (k), as applicable, of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection for damage of the sleeve and electrical wire of the fuel boost pump, and do an engine fuel suction feed operational test; and, before further flight, do related investigative and corrective actions, as applicable; by doing all applicable actions in and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0132, dated February 22, 2007. Repeat the detailed inspection and engine fuel suction feed operational test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15,000 flight cycles. Accomplishment of the initial inspection, applicable corrective actions, and engine fuel suction feed operational test of this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs (i), (j), and (k) of this AD. Inspection Report and Disposition of Damaged Parts (m) At the applicable time(s) specified in paragraph (m)(1) or (m)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of any inspection required by this AD and send any damaged parts to the manufacturer, as described in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0132, dated February 22, 2007. The report must include the information specified in Appendix A of the alert service bulletin. 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 has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. (1) For any inspection done after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (2) For any inspection done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (n)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (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. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 99-12-52 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (o) You must use applicable Boeing service bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 1.—All Material Incorporated by Reference Boeing service information Revision level Date Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0126 Original May 24, 1999. Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0132 Original February 22, 2007. Service Bulletin 727-28A0126 1 May 18, 2000. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0132, dated February 22, 2007; and Boeing Service Bulletin 727-28A0126, Revision 1, dated May 18, 2000; in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On June 28, 1999 (64 FR 33394, June 23, 1999), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0126, dated May 24, 1999. (3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 1, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-9799 Filed 5-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of a fuel tank explosion on a Model 727-200F airplane on the ground, and chafed wires and a damaged power cable sleeve of a fuel boost pump that were discovered during an inspection required by an existing AD on a Model 737-300 airplane, which has a fuel boost pump installation that is almost identical to the installation on Model 727 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel boost pump electrical wiring and leakage of fuel into the conduit, and to prevent electrical arcing between the wiring and the surrounding conduit, which could result in arc-through of the conduit, and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank.