AD 2008-12-03 Airworthiness Directives; Various Transport Category Airplanes Equipped With Auxiliary Fuel Tanks Installed in Accordance With Certain Supplemental Type Certificates

Models named: 707, 727-100 series, 727-200 series, 737-200 series, 737-400, -500 series, 767-200 series, 1-11-400 series, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to airplanes, certificated in any category and equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks installed in accordance with specified Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), as identified in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1.—Affected Airplanes Airplanes Auxiliary tank STC Boeing Model 707 airplanes SA4053WE, SA1308NM Boeing Model 727-100 series airplanes SA2970WE, SA3674WE, SA3157WE, SA3319WE, SA3559WE, SA2734WE, SA3920NM, SA3810WE, SA1979NM, SA1398NM, SA3483WE Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes SA3065WE, SA1051NW Boeing Model 737-200 series airplanes SA1082NW, SA2153WE, SA1054NW Boeing Model 737-400 and -500 series airplanes SA3992NM, SA3980NM Boeing Model 767-200 series airplanes SA5544NM British Aerospace Model 1-11-400 series airplanes SA1995WE, SA1626WE, SA3819WE, SA2971WE McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-15 and DC-9-15F airplanes SA3558WE, SA2587WE, SA1050NW McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-32F (C-9B) airplanes SA3436NM, SA3495NM

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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Information collection requirements in this AD are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ) and are assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. The report must include the following information: (1) The airplane registration and auxiliary tank STC number installed. (2) The usage frequency in terms of total number of flights per year and total number of flights for which the auxiliary tank is used. Prevent Usage of Auxiliary Fuel Tanks (g) On or before December 16, 2008, deactivate the auxiliary fuel tanks, in accordance with a deactivation procedure approved by the Manager of the Los Angeles ACO. Any auxiliary tank component that remains on the airplane must be secured and must have no effect on the continued operational safety and airworthiness of the airplane. Deactivation may not result in the need for additional instructions for continued airworthiness. Note 1: Appendix A of this AD provides criteria that should be included in the deactivation procedure. The proposed deactivation procedures should be submitted to the Los Angeles ACO as soon as possible to ensure timely review and approval. Note 2: For technical information, contact John Cox, Director of Engineering, Rogerson Aircraft Corporation, 16940 Von Karman, Irvine, California 92606; phone (949) 442-2381; fax (949) 442-2311. 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) 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 deactivation procedure required by paragraph (g) of this AD should address the following actions. (1) Permanently drain auxiliary fuel tanks, and clear them of fuel vapors to eliminate the possibility of out-gassing of fuel vapors from the emptied auxiliary tank. Note: If applicable, removing the bladder might help eliminate out-gassing. (2) Disconnect all electrical connections from the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS), fuel pumps if applicable, float switches, and all other electrical connections required for auxiliary tank operation, and stow them at the auxiliary tank interface. (3) Disconnect all pneumatic connections if applicable, cap them at the pneumatic source, and secure them. (4) Disconnect all fuel feed and fuel vent plumbing interfaces with airplane original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tanks, cap them at the airplane tank side, and secure them in accordance with a method approved by the FAA; one approved method is specified in AC 25-8 Fuel Tank Systems Installations. In order to eliminate the possibility of structural deformation during cabin decompression, leave open and secure the disconnected auxiliary fuel tank vent lines. (5) Pull and collar all circuit breakers used to operate the auxiliary tank. (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 is deactivated. Remove auxiliary fuel tank 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 tank is deactivated. The AFM revisions specified in this paragraph may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. (8) Amend the applicable sections of the applicable airplane maintenance manual to remove auxiliary tank maintenance procedures. (9) After the auxiliary fuel tank is deactivated, accomplish procedures such as leak checks and pressure checks deemed necessary before returning the airplane to service. These procedures must include verification that the airplane FQIS and fuel distribution systems have not been adversely affected. (10) Include with the operator's proposed procedures any relevant information or additional steps that are deemed necessary by the operator to comply with the deactivation and return the airplane to service. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 29, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-12413 Filed 6-3-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from fuel 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.