2008-09-22: Fuel Tank System

2008-09-22 Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA): Amendment 39- 15503. Docket No. FAA-2007-0048; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-181- AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 5, 2008. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to all CASA Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN- 235-200, CN-235-300, and C-295 airplanes; certificated in any category. Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Subsequent to accidents involving Fuel Tank System explosions in flight * * * and on ground, the FAA published Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR 88) in June 2001. SFAR 88 required a safety review of the aircraft Fuel Tank System to determine that the design meets the requirements of FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) Sec. 25.901 and Sec. 25.981(a) and (b). A similar regulation has beenrecommended by the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) to the European National Aviation Authorities in JAA letter 04/00/02/07/03-L024 of 3 February 2003. The review was requested to be mandated by NAA's (National Aviation Authorities) using JAR (Joint Aviation Regulation) Sec. 25.901(c), Sec. 25.1309. In August 2005 EASA published a policy statement on the process for developing instructions for maintenance and inspection of Fuel Tank System ignition source prevention (EASA D 2005/CPRO, www.easa.eu.int/home/cert_policy_statements_en.html) that also included the EASA expectations with regard to compliance times of the corrective actions on the unsafe and the not unsafe part of the harmonised design review results. On a global scale the TC (type certificate) holders committed themselves to the EASA published compliance dates (see EASA policy statement). The EASA policy statement has been revised in March 2006: The date of 31-12-2005 for the unsafe related actions was set at 01-07-2006. Fuel Airworthiness Limitations are items arising from a systems safety analysis that have been shown to have failure mode(s) associated with an `unsafe condition' as defined in FAA's memo 2003- 112-15 `SFAR 88--Mandatory Action Decision Criteria'. These are identified in Failure Conditions for which an unacceptable probability of ignition risk could exist if specific tasks and/or practices are not performed in accordance with the manufacturers' requirements. This EASA Airworthiness Directive mandates the Fuel System Airworthiness Limitations (comprising maintenance/inspection tasks and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)) for the type of aircraft, that resulted from the design reviews and the JAA recommendation and EASA policy statement mentioned above. The corrective action is revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to include CDCCL data. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, dothe following actions. (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, or before December 16, 2008, whichever occurs first, revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to include the CDCCL data using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. One approved method is EADS CASA CN-235/C-295 Technical Document DT-0-C00-05001, Issue C, dated October 2006. Where the EADS CASA technical document refers to an EADS CASA component maintenance manual (CMM), use the applicable CMM specified in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1.--Approved Methods of Compliance CDCCL Number CDCCL Description CMM Revision Date 8 Fuel pumps Parker Hannifin CMM with Illustrated Parts List 28-22-12 (replaces CM 1C12-34) 5 January 10, 2008 8 Centrifugal fuel boost pump Parker Hannifin CMM with Illustrated Parts List CM 1C7-20, -21 (replaces CMM RR54170) B November 20, 2006 9 Low level sensor EADS CASA CMM with Illustrated Parts List 28-21-12 002 June 15, 2007 10 3/4" shutoff motorized valve Eaton CMM with Illustrated Parts List 28-20-81 2 June 20, 2006 11 2" motorized spherical plug pressure relief valve Eaton CMM with Illustrated Parts List 28-10-63 3 June 20, 2006 12 Signal conditioner Gull CMM with Illustrated Parts List 28-40-61 3 June 28, 2007 13 Fuel control unit Zodiac Intertechnique CMM 28-41-05 3 September 25, 2006 Note 1: Table 1 does not include CMM 28-22-15, CE400150-E01, and C 17MQ0020-005SE, which are listed in EADS CASA CN-235/C-295 Technical Document DT-0-C00-05001, Issue C, dated October 2006. These CMM document numbers no longer apply. In addition, CMM document number 28-21-81 in EADS CASA CN-235/C-295 Technical Document DT-0-C00-05001, Issue C, dated October 2006, should be CMM document number 28-20-81. (2) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, no alternative CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are part of a later revision of EADS CASA CN-235/C-295 Technical Document DT-0-C00-05001, Issue C, dated October 2006, that is approved by the Manager, ANM-116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent); or unless the CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0007, dated January 9, 2007, specifies to incorporate into the aircraft maintenance program the fuel airworthiness limitation maintenance and inspection tasks defined in EADS CASA CN-235/C-295 Technical Document DT-0-C00-05001, Issue C, dated October 2006, we have not included that action. The EADS CASA Technical Document does not contain FAL maintenance and inspection tasks. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM- 116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149. 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. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0007, dated January 9, 2007; and EADS CASA CN-235/C-295 Technical Document DT-0- C00-05001, Issue C, dated October 2006; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) None.