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

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 26, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15880-15881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6058]



[[Page 15880]]

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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.

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Average
                 Action                    Work hours   labor rate               Parts                 Cost per
                                                         per hour                                      airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report..................................            1          $80  None...........................          $80
Preparation of tank deactivation                   80           80  None...........................        6,400
 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.

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

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 15881]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

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 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.
    (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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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