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FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2008-18-09: Reserve fuel tanks

FAA order 2008-18-09 is an airworthiness directive in force since October 17, 2008. The FAA's subject line: Reserve fuel tanks. It names Boeing 747: about 192 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
The Boeing Company
Models
747-100 Series, 747-100B Series, 747-100B SUD Series, 747-200B Series, 747-200C Series, 747-200F Series, 747-300 Series, 747-400 Series, 747-400D Series, 747-400F Series, 747SP Series, 747SR Series
On this site
Boeing 747 192 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
October 17, 2008
Published
September 12, 2008 (signed August 25, 2008)
Docket
FAA-2008-0091
Replaced by
2023-03-20, 2022-17-03
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires modification of the refuel valve control unit for the reserve fuel tanks. This AD also requires a revision to the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate airworthiness limitation (AWL) No. 28-AWL-20 or AWL No. 28-AWL-25, as applicable. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent lightning-induced electrical energy from entering a reserve fuel tank through the refuel valve, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (5,952 characters)
2008-18-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-15666. Docket No. FAA-2008-0091; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-311-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 17, 2008. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) None. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747- 400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 28A2291, dated September 27, 2007. \n\n\tNote 1: 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 according to paragraph (k) 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 fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent lightning-induced electrical energy from entering a reserve fuel tank through the refuel valve, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\nModification \n\n\t(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the refuel valve control unit for the reserve fuel tanks, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 28A2291, dated September 27, 2007. \n\nMaintenance Program Revision(g) Concurrently with accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (f) of this AD, revise the FAA-approved maintenance program by incorporating the information specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable. \n\t(1) For Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes: Incorporate AWL No. 28-AWL-20 of Section D of the Boeing 747-100/ 200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-CMR, Revision January 2007, into the FAA-approved maintenance program. \n\t(2) For Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes: Incorporate AWL No. 28-AWL-25 of Subsection D of the Boeing 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D621U400-9, Section 9, Revision 24, dated June 2006, into the FAA-approved maintenance program. \n\nNo Alternative Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) \n\n\t(h) After accomplishing the applicable action specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative CDCCLs may be used unless the CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. \n\nTerminating Action for Maintenance Program Revision \n\n\t(i) For Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes: Incorporating AWL No. 28-AWL-20 into the FAA-approved maintenance program in accordance with paragraph (g) of AD 2008-10-07, amendment 39-15513, terminates the action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. \n\t(j) For Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes: Incorporating AWL No. 28-AWL-25 into the FAA-approved maintenance program in accordance with paragraph (g)(3) of AD 2008-10-06, amendment 39-15512, terminates the action required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(k)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, ATTN: Sulmo Mariano, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6501; fax (425) 917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\t(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(l) You must use the service information contained in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \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\t(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. \n\t(3) You may review copies of the service information that is 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. \n\n\tTable 1--Material Incorporated by Reference\n\n\nService information \nRevision \nDate\nBoeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2291.\nOriginal\nSeptember 27, 2007\nBoeing 747-100/200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-CMR.\nJanuary 2007\nJanuary 2007\nBoeing 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D621U400-9, Section 9. \n24\nJune 2006

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2020-11-16AIR-20-18 · Flight Management Computing Software System
2020-04-16NM-20-07 · Navigation - Glideslope System
2018-12-17NM-18-33 · Engine Fuel and Control
2017-04-13NM-17-10 · Maintenance Practices
2014-11-24NM-15-03 · Flight Controls

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2008-18-09.json · aircraft systems.