Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18393 · Fuel
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in any category, that are identified in paragraphs (c)(6) through (c)(8) of this AD and equipped with center wing fuel tanks; and those identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(8) of this AD that are equipped with Boeing original equipment manufacturer-installed auxiliary fuel tanks. For airplanes on which the auxiliary fuel tanks are removed, the actions specified for the auxiliary fuel tanks are not required.
(1) Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F airplanes.
(2) Model DC-9-21 airplanes.
(3) Model DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC 9 34F, and DC 9 32F (C-9A, C 9B) airplanes.
(4) Model DC-9-41 airplanes.
(5) Model DC-9-51 airplanes.
(6) Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes.
(7) Model MD-88 airplanes.
(8) Model MD-90-30 airplanes.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-18-05 for The Boeing Company Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9- 50 series airplanes; and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9- 83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), MD-88, and MD-90-30 airplanes; equipped with a center wing fuel tank and Boeing original equipment manufacturer-installed auxiliary fuel tanks. AD 2012-18-05 required adding design features to detect electrical faults and to detect a pump running in an empty fuel tank. Since we issued AD 2012-18-05, we have determined that it is necessary to clarify the actions for airplanes on which the auxiliary fuel tanks are removed. This new AD allows certain actions as optional methods of compliance. This AD was prompted by our determination that it is necessary to clarify the actions for airplanes on which the auxiliary fuel tanks are removed. We are 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.
This paragraph restates the actions required by paragraph (g) of AD 2012-18-05, Amendment 39-17181 (77 FR 54793, September 6, 2012), with a new compliance time. Except as provided by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: As of 42 months after the effective date of this AD, no person may operate any airplane affected by this AD unless an amended type certificate or supplemental type certificate that incorporates the design features and requirements described in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD has been approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, and those design features are installed on the airplane.
(1) Each electrically powered fuel pump installed in the center wing tank or auxiliary fuel tank must have a protective device installed to detect electrical faults that can cause arcing and burn through the fuel pump housing. The same device must shut off the pump by automatically removing electrical power from the pump when such faults are detected. When a fuel pump is shut off as the result of detection of an electrical fault, the device must stay latched off until the fault is cleared through maintenance action and verified that the pump and the electrical power feed are safe for operation.
(2) Additional design features must be installed to detect when any center wing tank or auxiliary fuel tank pump is running in an empty fuel tank. The prospective pump shutoff system must shut off each pump no later than 60 seconds after the fuel tank is emptied. The pump shutoff system design must preclude undetected running of a fuel pump in an empty tank, after the pump was commanded off manually or automatically.
For Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and Model MD-88 airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes: In lieu of doing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD.
(1) For Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and Model MD-88 airplanes: Do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i), (h)(1)(ii), and (h)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(i) For all airplanes identified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: Within the compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, install ground fault interrupter (GFI) relays and change fuel pump system wiring, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD80-28-228, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2015.
(ii) For airplanes identified in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 28-53, Revision 1, dated April 16, 1992: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the action specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this AD, install a low fuel pressure indication system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 28-53, Revision 1, dated April 16, 1992.
(iii) For airplanes identified in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 28-63, Revision 2, dated April 8, 1992: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the action specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this AD, install a low fuel pressure indication inhibition system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 28-63, Revision 2, dated April 8, 1992.
(2) For Model MD-90-30 airplanes: Within the compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, install GFI relays and change fuel pump system wiring, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-28-013, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2015.
(3) For all airplanes: Within 30 days after accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), Airworthiness Limitation Instructions (ALIs), and Short-Term Extensions specified in Appendices B, C, and D of Boeing Twinjet Special Compliance Item Report MDC-92K9145, Revision N, dated June 13, 2014. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the actions specified in the ALIs is at the later of the times in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (h)(3)(ii) of this AD. Doing the revision of the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, required by this paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraphs (g) and (h) of AD 2008-11-15, Amendment 3915538 (73 FR 30746, May 29, 2008).
(i) At the applicable time specified in Appendix C of Boeing Twinjet Special Compliance Item Report MDC-92K9145, Revision N, dated June 13, 2014, except as provided by Appendix D of Boeing Twinjet Special Compliance Item Report MDC-92K9145, Revision N, dated June 13, 2014.
(ii) Within 30 days after accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
In lieu of doing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, within the compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD install a TDG Aerospace Inc. UFI using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: TDG Aerospace STC ST02502LA (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/4d132827a425d7de86257cd3004dfc02/$FILE/ST02502LA.pdf) provides additional guidance for installing the TDG UFI.
After the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has been revised as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
