2023-07-09: 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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-27-07, Amendment 39-22292 (87 FR 80028, December 29, 2022); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2023-07-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22411; Docket No. FAA-2023-0925; Project Identifier AD-2023-00255-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 1, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-27-07, Amendment 39-22292 (87 FR 80028, December 29, 2022) (AD 2022-27-07). (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 with Crane Aerospace Hydro-Aire horizontal stabilizer fuel transfer pump housings and transfer pump motor impellers. (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 transfer pump motor impeller inlet adapter of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank transfer pump caused by contact between the transfer pump housing 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 transfer pump housing inlet check valves and transfer pump motor impeller inlet adapters of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank. 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) Retained Definitions, With a Revised Definition This paragraph restates the definitions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of AD 2022-27-07, with a revised definition. (1) A "serviceable" transfer pump motor impeller 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" transfer pump housing 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 in production or deactivated by an approved alteration. (h) Retained Inspection and Corrective Action: Transfer Pump Housing Inlet Check Valve, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2022-27-07, with no changes. Within 90 days after January 13, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-07): Do a detailed visual inspection of the transfer pump housing 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 transfer pump housing 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 transfer pump housing inlet check valve or transfer pump housing with a serviceable transfer pump housing inlet check valve or transfer pump housing containing a serviceable transfer pump housing 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) Retained Inspection and Corrective Action: Transfer Pump Motor Impeller Inlet Adapter, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2022-27-07, with no changes. Within 90 days after January 13, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-07): 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) Retained Reporting Inspection Results, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2022-27-07, with no changes. 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 January 13, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-07): Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (2) If the inspection was done before January 13, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-07): Submit the report within 30 days after January 13, 2023. (k) Retained Parts Installation Limitation, With Revised Affected Parts This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2022-27-07, with revised affected parts. As of January 13, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-07), no person may install, on any airplane, a Crane Aerospace Hydro-Aire horizontal stabilizer fuel transfer pump housing or transfer pump motor impeller, unless the transfer pump motor impeller inlet adaptor and transfer pump housing inlet check valve have 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) Retained Credit for Previous Actions, With No Changes This paragraph restates the provisions of paragraph (l) of AD 2022-27-07, with no changes. This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before January 13, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-07) 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)(4) and (5) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on January 13, 2023 (87 FR 80028, December 29, 2022). (i) Boeing Multiple Operator Message MOM-MOM-22-0549-01B(R1), dated November 29, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (4) 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 . (5) 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. (6) 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 April 8, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-08027 Filed 4-12-23; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P