Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22345 · Fuel
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the FAA's analysis of the Model 747 airplane fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, and by the determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
