AD/B727/217 Fuel Tank Safety (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B727/217 Fuel Tank Safety 5/2009

Applicability:	Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series aeroplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 727-28A0128, dated 4 April 2008.
Requirement:	1.    Install new ground fault interrupter (GFI) relays for the main fuel tanks and the auxiliary fuel tank pumps and do all the other specified actions by accomplishing all the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 727-28A0128.
2.    For aeroplanes identified as Groups 5 through 18 inclusive, in ASB 727-28A0128, carry out the following actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing ASB 727-28A0130, dated 30 April 2008.
a.     Install new ground blocks, track, switch mounting bracket, relay mounting bracket, toggle switches, and relays, and make changes to the wire bundles in the GFI relay panel in the electronic equipment bay.
b.    Install new circuit breakers and lights and make changes to wire bundles on the third crewman's P6 and P4 panels in the flight compartment.
3.    Revise the approved maintenance program by incorporating Airworthiness Limitations 28-AWL-16 and 28-AWL-17 of Section D of "Boeing 727-100/200 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs),'' Document D6-8766-AWL, Revision August 2007.
After accomplishing the Requirement 3 revision to the approved maintenance program, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be used, unless the inspections or intervals are approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative means of compliance (AMOC) to paragraph (h) of FAA AD 2009-05-03.
Later revisions of ASB 727-28A0128 or 727-28A0130, approved by the FAA as AMOCs to FAA AD 2009-05-03, are considered acceptable for compliance with the equivalent Requirements of this Directive.
Note:  FAA AD 2009-05-03 Amdt 39-15827 refers.

Compliance:	For Requirement 1 -Within 60 months after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 and 3 - Concurrently with Requirement 1.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 May 2009.
Background:	This Directive results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer.  The Directive is issued to prevent an electrical fault in the fuel pump system, which might cause a connector or end cap to burn through and a subsequent fire or explosion inside the fuel pump or wing spar area.  The Directive is also issued to prevent uncommanded operation of the auxiliary fuel tank pumps, which can cause them to run dry.  This condition will increase pump temperature and could supply an ignition source to fumes in the fuel tank, which can result in a consequent fire or explosion.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

26 March 2009