2008-10-10: New limitations for fuel tank systems

2008-10-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-15516. Docket No. FAA-2007-28384; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-165-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 12, 2008. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) None. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before March 31, 2006. \n\n\tNote 1: Airplanes with an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or after March 31, 2006, must already be in compliance with the airworthiness limitations specified in this AD because those limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness certification of those airplanes. \n\n\tNote 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (l) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(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. \n\nService Information Reference \n\n\t(f) The term "Revision March 2008 of the MPD," as used in this AD, means Boeing Temporary Revision (TR) 09-020, dated March 2008. Boeing TR 09-020 is published as Section 9 of the Boeing 737-600/ 700/800/900 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision March 2008. \n\nRevision to Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Section \n\n\t(g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by incorporating into the MPD the information in the subsections specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD; except that the initial inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the applicable compliance time specified in that paragraph. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. \n\n\t(1) Subsection E, "AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--FUEL SYSTEMS," of Revision March 2008 of the MPD. \n\n\t(2) Subsection F, "PAGE FORMAT: FUEL SYSTEM AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS," of Revision March 2008 of the MPD. \n\n\t(3) Subsection G, "AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--FUEL SYSTEM AWLs," AWLs No. 28-AWL-01 through No. 28-AWL-22 inclusive, of Revision March 2008 of the MPD. As an optional action, AWLs No. 28- AWL-23 and No. 28-AWL-24, as identified in Subsection G of Revision March 2008 of the MPD, also may be incorporated into the AWLs section of the ICA. \n\nInitial Inspection and Repair if Necessary \n\n\t(h) At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection of the lightning shield to ground termination on the out-of-tank fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring to verify functional integrity, in accordance with AWL No. 28-AWL-03of Subsection G of Revision March 2008 of the MPD. If any discrepancy is found during the inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight in accordance with AWL No. 28-AWL-03 of Subsection G of Revision March 2008 of the MPD. Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph in accordance with a later revision of the MPD is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Accomplishing AWL No. 28-AWL-03 as part of an FAA-approved maintenance program before the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD constitutes compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. \n\n\tNote 3: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate cleaning and substantial accessor disassembly procedure may be required." \n\n\t(1) Within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certification or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness. \n\n\t(2) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD. \n\nNo Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) \n\n\t(i) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are part of a later revision of Revision March 2008 of the MPD that is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO; or unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD. \n\nCredit for Actions Done According to Previous Revisions of the MPD \n\n\t(j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the following MPDs are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD: Section 9 of the Boeing 737-600/700/700C/700IGW/800/900 MPD Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision March 2006; Revision May 2006; Revision October 2006; Revision November 2006; or Revision November 2006 R1; and Section 9 of the Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 MPD Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision March 2007; Revision March 2007 R1; Revision March 2007 R2; or Revision February 2008. \n\nTerminating Action for AD 2008-06-03, Amendment 39-15415 \n\n\t(k) Incorporating AWLs No. 28-AWL-21, No. 28-AWL-22, and No. 28- AWL-24 into the AWLs section of the ICA in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the action required by paragraph (h)(1) of AD 2008-06-03. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(l)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, 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. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(m) You must use Boeing Temporary Revision 09-020, dated March 2008, to the Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D626A001-CMR, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Boeing Temporary Revision 09-020 is published as Section 9 of the Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D626A001-CMR, Revision March 2008. \n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\n\t(2) For service information identified in this AD,contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. \n\n\t(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_ regulations/ibr_locations.html.