2023-03-20: 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: 2023-03-20 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22345; Docket No. FAA-2022-1170; Project Identifier AD-2022-00023-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 1, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (7) of this AD. (1) AD 2008-10-06 R1, Amendment 39-16160 (75 FR 906, January 7, 2010) (AD 2008-10-06 R1). (2) AD 2008-18-09, Amendment 39-15666 (73 FR 52911, September 12, 2008) (AD 2008-18-09). (3) AD 2010-13-12, Amendment 39-16343 (75 FR 37997, July 1, 2010) (AD 2010-13-12). (4) AD 2010-14-08, Amendment 39-16353 (75 FR 38397, July 2, 2010) (AD 2010-14-08). (5) AD 2011-06-03, Amendment 39-16627 (76 FR 15814, March 22, 2011) (AD 2011-06-03). (6) AD 2014-15-14, Amendment 39-17916 (79 FR 45324, August 5, 2014) (AD 2014-15-14). (7) AD 2016-19-03, Amendment 39-18652 (81 FR 65872, September 26, 2016) (AD 2016-19-03). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the FAA's analysis of the fuel system reviews on Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes conducted by the manufacturer, and by the determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Section B, Airworthiness Limitations-Systems, of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of Boeing 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D621U400-9, dated April 2022; except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. The initial compliance time for doing the airworthiness limitation instruction (ALI) tasks is at the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (13) of this AD. (1) For AWL No. 28-AWL-01, "External Wires Over Center Fuel Tank": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-01 in their 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, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD: Within 144 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-01 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 144 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-01, whichever occurs later. (2) For AWL No. 28-AWL-03, "Fuel Quantity Indication System (FQIS)-Out of Tank Wiring Lightning Shield to Ground Termination": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-03 in their 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, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD: Within 144 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-03 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 144 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-03, whichever occurs later. (3) For AWL No. 28-AWL-10, "Main Tank, Center Wing Tank, and Horizontal Stabilizer Tank (if installed) Refuel Valve Installation-Fault Current Bond": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-10 in their 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, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this AD: Within 144 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-10 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 144 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-10, whichever occurs later. (4) For AWL No. 28-AWL-17, "Over-Current and Arcing Protection Electrical Design Features Operation-Fault Current Detector (FCD) for Center Wing Tank (CWT) Pumps and Inboard Main Tank Override/Jettison (O/J) Pumps and Horizontal Stabilizer Tank (HST) Transfer Fuel Pumps": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(4)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-17 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(4)(i) of this AD: Within 18 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-17 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 18 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-17, whichever occurs later. (5) For AWL No. 28-AWL-24, "Horizontal Stabilizer Tank (HST) Fuel Pump Automatic Shutoff Circuit (If Installed)": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(5)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-24 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this AD: Within 12 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-24 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-24, whichever occurs later. (6) For AWL No. 28-AWL-26, "Main Tank 2 and Main Tank 3 Override/Jettison Fuel Pump Uncommanded on System": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(6)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-26 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(6)(i) of this AD: Within 12 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-26 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-26, whichever occurs later. (7) For AWL No. 28-AWL-28, "Over-Current and Arcing Protection Electrical Design Features Operation-Main Tank AC Fuel Pump Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI)": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(7)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-28 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(7)(i) of this AD: Within 12 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-28 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-28, whichever occurs later. (8) For AWL No. 28-AWL-29, "Over-Current and Arcing Protection Electrical Design Features Operation-Center Tank Scavenge AC Fuel Pump Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI)": At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(8)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-29 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(8)(i) of this AD: Within 12 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-29 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 12 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-29, whichever occurs later. (9) For 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," at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(9)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-33 in their 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, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(9)(i) of this AD: Within 144 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-33 was added to the 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. (10) For AWL No. 28-AWL-40, "Reserve Tank Refuel Valve Installation-Lightning Protection Electrical Bond," at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(10)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 28-AWL-40 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 72 months since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(10)(i) of this AD: Within 72 months since AWL No. 28-AWL-40 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 72 months after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 28-AWL-40, whichever occurs later. (11) For AWL No. 47-AWL-07, "Nitrogen Generation System-Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA) Distribution Ducting Inspection," at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(11)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 47-AWL-07 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 21,250 total flight hours since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(11)(i) of this AD: Within 21,250 total flight hours since AWL No. 47-AWL-07 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 21,250 total flight hours after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 47-AWL-07, whichever occurs later. (12) For AWL No. 47-AWL-08, "Nitrogen Generation System [NGS]-Cross-Vent Check Valve Functional Check," at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(12)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 47-AWL-08 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 21,250 total flight hours since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(12)(i) of this AD: Within 21,250 total flight hours since AWL No. 47-AWL- 08 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 21,250 total flight hours after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 47-AWL-08, whichever occurs later. (13) For AWL No. 47-AWL-10, "NGS-Thermal Switch," at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(13)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that did not have any version of AWL No. 47-AWL-10 in their maintenance or inspection program before the effective date of this AD: Within 54,000 total flight hours since issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (ii) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(13)(i) of this AD: Within 54,000 total flight hours since AWL No. 47-AWL-10 was added to the maintenance or inspection program, or within 54,000 total flight hours after the most recent inspection was performed as specified in AWL No. 47-AWL-10, whichever occurs later. (h) Additional Acceptable Wire Types and Sleeving As an option, during accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, the alternative materials specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD are acceptable. (1) Where AWL No. 28-AWL-08 identifies wire types BMS 13-48, BMS 13-58, and BMS 13-60, the following wire types, as applicable, are acceptable: MIL-W-22759/16, SAE AS22759/16 (M22759/16), MIL-W-22759/32, SAE AS22759/32 (M22759/32), MIL-W-22759/34, SAE AS22759/34 (M22759/34), MIL-W-22759/41, SAE AS22759/41 (M22759/41), MIL-W-22759/86, SAE AS22759/86 (M22759/86), MIL-W-22759/87, SAE AS22759/87 (M22759/87), MIL-W-22759/92, and SAE AS22759/92 (M22759/92); and MIL-C-27500 and NEMA WC 27500 cables constructed from these military or SAE specification wire types. (2) Where AWL No. 28-AWL-08 identifies TFE-2X Standard wall for wire sleeving, the following sleeving materials are acceptable: Roundit 2000NX and Varglas Type HO, HP, or HM, as applicable. (i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or 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 (l) of this AD. (j) Terminating Actions (1) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates all requirements of AD 2008-10-06 R1. (2) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates paragraph (g)(2) of AD 2008-18-09 for Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F airplanes only. (3) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates paragraph (h)(1) of AD 2010-13-12 for Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F airplanes only. (4) Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates paragraph (j) of AD 2010-14-08. (5) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates paragraph (l) of AD 2011-06-03 for Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F airplanes only. (6) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates paragraph (h)(1) of AD 2014-15-14 for Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F airplanes only. (7) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates paragraph (h) of AD 2016-19-03 for Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F airplanes only. (k) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Section B, Airworthiness Limitations-Systems, of Section 9, AWLs and CMRs, of Boeing 747-400 MPD Document, D621U400-9, dated September 2021. (l) 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 (m) 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. (m) Related Information 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]. (n) 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) Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of Boeing 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, D621U400-9, dated April 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; phone: (562) 797-1717; website: myboeingfleet.com . (4) You may view this service information at 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 February 10, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-06044 Filed 3-24-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P