[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48007-48009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22575]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-1325; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-157-AD;
Amendment 39-16024; AD 2009-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727-281 Airplanes Equipped
With Auxiliary Fuel Tanks Installed in Accordance With Supplemental
Type Certificate SA3449NM
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Boeing Model 727-281 airplanes. This AD requires deactivation of
Rogerson Aircraft Corporation auxiliary fuel tanks. This AD results
from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, which
identified potential unsafe conditions but has not provided associated
corrective actions. We are issuing this AD to prevent 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.
DATES: This AD is effective October 26, 2009.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5254; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
certain Boeing Model 727-281 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on December 23, 2008 (73 FR 78675). That NPRM proposed
to require deactivation of Rogerson Aircraft Corporation auxiliary fuel
tanks.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing supports the NPRM.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD would affect about 17 U.S.-registered airplanes. The
following table provides the estimated costs to comply with this AD.
[[Page 48008]]
Estimated Costs
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Average labor Cost per
Action Work hours rate per hour Parts airplane Fleet cost
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Report................................. 1 $80 None....................... $80 $1,360.
Preparation of tank deactivation 80 80 None....................... 6,400 Up to $108,800.
procedure.
Physical tank deactivation............. 30 80 $1,200..................... 3,600 Up to $61,200.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2009-20-01 Boeing: Amendment 39-16024. Docket No. FAA-2008-1325;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-157-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 26,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 727-281 airplanes,
certificated in any category, and equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks
installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SA3449NM.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 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.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Report
(f) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, submit a
report to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA. Information collection requirements in this AD are
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
and are assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. The report must
include the following information:
(1) The airplane registration and auxiliary tank STC number
installed.
(2) The usage frequency in terms of total number of flights per
year and total number of flights for which the auxiliary tank is
used.
Prevent Usage of Auxiliary Fuel Tanks
(g) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD,
deactivate the auxiliary fuel tanks, in accordance with a
deactivation procedure approved by the Manager of the Los Angeles
ACO. Any auxiliary tank component that remains on the airplane must
be secured and must have no effect on the continued operational
safety and airworthiness of the airplane. Deactivation may not
result in the need for additional instructions for continued
airworthiness.
Note 1: Appendix A of this AD provides criteria that might need
to be included in the deactivation procedure. Timely approval is
dependent on early submittal of the deactivation procedures.
Note 2: For technical information, contact Dan Zevallos,
Director of Program Management, Rogerson Aircraft Corporation, 2201
Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92606; telephone (949) 442-2306;
fax (949) 442-2322.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Serj Harutunian,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5254; fax (562) 627-5210.
(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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) None.
Appendix A
Deactivation Criteria
The auxiliary fuel tank deactivation procedure required by
paragraph (g) of this AD might need to address the following
actions.
(1) Permanently drain auxiliary fuel tanks, and clear them of
fuel vapors to eliminate the possibility of out-gassing of fuel
vapors from the emptied auxiliary tank.
Note: If applicable, removing the bladder might help eliminate
out-gassing.
[[Page 48009]]
(2) Disconnect all electrical connections from the fuel quantity
indication system (FQIS), fuel pumps if applicable, float switches,
and all other electrical connections required for auxiliary tank
operation, and stow them at the auxiliary tank interface.
(3) Disconnect all pneumatic connections if applicable, cap them
at the pneumatic source, and secure them.
(4) Disconnect all fuel feed and fuel vent plumbing interfaces
with airplane original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tanks, cap them
at the airplane tank side, and secure them in accordance with a
method approved by the FAA; one approved method is specified in AC
25-8 Auxiliary Fuel Tank Systems Installations. In order to
eliminate the possibility of structural deformation during cabin
decompression, leave open and secure the disconnected auxiliary fuel
tank vent lines.
(5) Pull and collar all circuit breakers used to operate the
auxiliary tank.
(6) Revise the weight and balance document, if required, and
obtain FAA approval.
(7) Amend the applicable sections of the applicable airplane
flight manual (AFM) to indicate that the auxiliary fuel tank is
deactivated. Remove auxiliary fuel tank operating procedures to
ensure that only the OEM fuel system operational procedures are
contained in the AFM. Amend the Limitations Section of the AFM to
indicate that the AFM Supplement for the STC is not in effect. Place
a placard in the flight deck indicating that the auxiliary tank is
deactivated. The AFM revisions specified in this paragraph may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
(8) Amend the applicable sections of the applicable airplane
maintenance manual to remove auxiliary tank maintenance procedures.
(9) After the auxiliary fuel tank is deactivated, accomplish
procedures such as leak checks and pressure checks deemed necessary
before returning the airplane to service. These procedures must
include verification that the airplane FQIS and fuel distribution
systems have not been adversely affected.
(10) Include with the operator's proposed procedures any
relevant information or additional steps that are deemed necessary
by the operator to comply with the deactivation and return the
airplane to service.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 11, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-22575 Filed 9-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P