2022-10-11: Fuel, Wings

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-10-11 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22049; Docket No. FAA-2021-0877; Project Identifier AD-2020-01316-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 11, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SP, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, having line numbers 645 and subsequent. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel; 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the FAA's analysis of the fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. The FAA is issuing this AD to address arcing in the event of a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, which could result in a fuel tank explosion or fire. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Reconfiguration of Wire Bundle Clamps, Sealant Application, Installation of Clamps and Sleeves, Inspections, and Corrective Actions (1) For Group 1 through 9, 11, and 16 through 45 airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 8, dated November 13, 2020: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, reconfigure the clamps of the specified wire bundles, apply sealant to the specified fasteners that penetrate the fuel tank walls, and install cushion clamps and polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeves on the wire bundles of the front spars and rear spars of the wings, as applicable, in accordance with Work Packages 13 through 21, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 8, dated November 13, 2020. (2) For airplanes on which the actions specified in Work Package 7, 8, or 9 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327 have been done: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to determine if the fillet sealant identified in step 5 of Figure 23 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 8, dated November 13, 2020, was applied to fully encapsulate the fastener penetrating the fuel tank; and if the sealant does not fully encapsulate the fastener, before further flight, apply sealant as specified in step 5 of Figure 23, except where note (f) of Figure 23 specifies to "make sure to apply the fillet sealant on the fastener," this AD requires applying the fillet sealant to fully encapsulate the fastener penetrating the fuel tank. (3) For Group 2 airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2326, Revision 1, dated January 31, 2008, on which fasteners were sealed using Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2326, dated January 4, 2007: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to determine if all fasteners identified in Figures 4 and 5 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2326, Revision 1, dated January 31, 2008, have been sealed; and if any fasteners are not sealed, before further flight, apply sealant in accordance with Figure 1 of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2326, Revision 1, dated January 31, 2008. (h) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision (1) For Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes: Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the information in airworthiness limitations (AWLs) 28-AWL-33, 28-AWL-34, and 28-AWL-37 of The Boeing Company 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D621U400-9, Revision February 2020. The initial compliance time for doing AWL No. 28-AWL-33, "Cushion Clamps and Teflon Sleeving Installed on Out-of-Tank Wire Bundles Installed on Brackets that are Mounted Directly on the Fuel Tanks," is at the applicable time specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-33 in the existing maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 144 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, within 144 months since Boeing Special Attention Bulletin 747-57-2327 was incorporated, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs latest. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this AD: Within 144 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-33 was incorporated into the existing maintenance or inspection program, or within 144 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-33, whichever occurs later. (2) For Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, and 747SP series airplanes: Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the information in AWLs 28-AWL-25, 28-AWL-27, and 28-AWL-28 of The Boeing Company 747-100/200/300/SP/SR Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-CMR, Revision September 2020; except where the "Applicability" of AWLs 28-AWL-25 and 28-AWL-27 specifies "ALL" and "NOTE," replace "ALL" and "NOTE" with "Airplanes L/N 645 and on" and remove the "Applicability Note" from the Description column of 28-AWL-25 and 28-AWL-27. The initial compliance time for doing AWL No. 28 AWL-25, "Cushion Clamps and Teflon Sleeving Installed on Out-of-Tank Wire Bundles Installed on Brackets that are Mounted Directly on the Fuel Tanks," is at the applicable time specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-25 in the existing maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 144 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, within 144 months since Boeing Special Attention Bulletin 747-57-2327 was incorporated, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs latest. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD: Within 144 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-25 was incorporated into the maintenance or inspection program, or within 144 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-25, whichever occurs later. (i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (h)(1) or (2) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. (j) Credit for Previous Actions (1) This paragraph provides credit for the Work Package 13 actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information specified in paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (iv) of this AD. (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 4, dated August 26, 2010. (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 5, dated September 20, 2011. (iii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 6, dated February 21, 2013. (iv) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 7, dated November 30, 2017. (2) This paragraph provides credit for the Work Package 14, 15, and 16 actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information specified in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (iii) of this AD. (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 5, dated September 20, 2011. (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 6, dated February 21, 2013. (iii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 7, dated November 30, 2017. (3) This paragraph provides credit for the Work Package 17 actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information specified in paragraphs (j)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 6, dated February 21, 2013. (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 7, dated November 30, 2017. (4) This paragraph provides credit for the Work Package 18, 19, and 20 actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 7, dated November 30, 2017. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (l) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Rose Len, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3604; email: [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2326, Revision 1, dated January 31, 2008. (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 8, dated November 13, 2020. (iii) The Boeing Company 747-100/200/300/SP/SR Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-13747-CMR, Revision September 2020. (iv) The Boeing Company 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D621U400-9, Revision February 2020. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110 SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562 797 1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on May 6, 2022. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-12030 Filed 6-3-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P