2022-27-07: Fuel

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: 2022-27-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22292; Docket No. FAA-2022-1657; Project Identifier AD-2022-01475-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-8 series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with an activated horizontal stabilizer fuel tank. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of wear-through of the motor impeller inlet adapter of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank transfer pump caused by contact between the motor impeller inlet check valve and the inlet adapter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the development of an ignition source within the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank resulting from wear to the motor impeller inlet check valves and inlet adapters of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank transfer pumps. This condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions (1) A "serviceable" inlet adapter is an inlet adapter of the motor impeller assembly for which any missing material does not exceed 0.20 inch in the pump axial direction. (2) A "serviceable" inlet check valve is an inlet check valve for which the hinge pin protrudes past the flapper arm on both sides and there is no metal disk gouging, missing material, corrosion, burrs, or raised material. Minor surface scratches, defects, or appearances of surface wear are acceptable. (3) A horizontal stabilizer tank is considered to be "activated" if it is not deactivated by an approved alteration. (h) Inspection and Corrective Action: Inlet Check Valve Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed visual inspection of the inlet check valve in the left and right transfer pump housing for hinge pin protrusion, gouging, missing material, corrosion, burrs, and raised material, in accordance with paragraph C., Work Instructions, Attachment A, Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (1) Condition 1: If the hinge pin does not protrude past the flapper arm on one side, or if any gouging, missing material, corrosion, burrs, or raised material is found on the inlet check valve, do the actions required by paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) Report inspection findings in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. (ii) Prior to further flight, replace the inlet check valve or transfer pump housing with a serviceable inlet check valve or transfer pump housing containing a serviceable inlet check valve, in accordance with paragraph C., Work Instructions, Attachment A, Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (2) Condition 2: If the hinge pin does protrude past the flapper arm on both sides, and no gouging, missing material, corrosion, burrs, or raised material is found, report inspection findings in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. (i) Inspection and Corrective Action: Transfer Pump Motor Impeller Inlet Adapter Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed visual inspection of the transfer pump motor impeller inlet adapter for wear (missing material), in accordance with paragraph D., Work Instructions, Attachment A, Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (1) Condition 1: If any wear is found that is 0.20 inch or less, report inspection findings in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. (2) Condition 2: If any wear is found that is greater than 0.20 inch, do the actions required by paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) Report inspection findings in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. (ii) Before further flight, replace the transfer pump motor impeller with a transfer pump motor impeller having a serviceable inlet adapter, in accordance with paragraph D., Work Instructions, Attachment A, Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (j) Reporting Inspection Results At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (2) of this AD, submit a report of all findings of the inspections required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, in accordance with paragraph G. and Appendix A, Attachment A, Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. (k) Parts Installation Limitation As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, any transfer pump motor impeller inlet adapter or inlet check valve (or assembly containing either) for the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank, unless the affected part has been inspected as specified in paragraph (h) or (i) of this AD, as applicable, and been determined to be a serviceable part as defined in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD. (l) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B, dated November 21, 2022. (m) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the actions required by this AD can be performed, provided the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank is defueled and both transfer pump circuit breakers are locked in the "open" position. (n) 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 (o)(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. (o) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Samuel Dorsey, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3415; email: [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (p)(3) and (4) of this AD. (p) 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 Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Boeing 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; website myboeingfleet.com . (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 [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on December 21, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-28386 Filed 12-23-22; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P