Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2008L04603:body:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2008L04603
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 0–3271

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/B727/216  Auxiliary Fuel Tanks  1/2009

Applicability:  This AD applies to the following aeroplanes fitted with the Auxiliary tank STC(s) listed in Table 1 of this AD.
                 Aeroplanes                               Auxiliary tank STC(s)
                 Boeing Model 727 series aeroplanes       SA62NE, SA392NE, SA530NE
                 Boeing Model 727-100 series aeroplanes   SA62NE, SA387NE, SA392NE, SA530NE, ST00466NY
                 Boeing Model 727-200 series aeroplanes   SA84NE, SA387NE, SA450NE, SA496NE

Requirement:       1. Submit a report to the Manager, Systems and New Technologies, Airworthiness Engineering Group CASA, Fax (02) 6217 1914.

                   The report must include the following information:

                     (a) The aeroplane registration and auxiliary tank STC number installed.

                     (b) The usage frequency in terms of total number of flights per year and total number of flights per year for which the auxiliary tank is used.

                   2. Deactivate the auxiliary fuel tanks, in accordance with a deactivation procedure approved by CASA.  Any auxiliary tank component that remains on the aeroplane must be secured and must have no effect on the continued operational safety and airworthiness of the aeroplane.  Deactivation must not result in the need for additional instructions for continued airworthiness.

                Note 1:  Appendix A of this AD provides criteria that should be included in the deactivation procedure.  The proposed deactivation procedures should be submitted to the Manager, Systems and New Technologies, as soon as possible to ensure timely review and approval.

                Note 2:  FAA AD 2008-22-01 Amdt 39-15696 dated 9 October 2008 refers.

Compliance:  For Requirement 1 - Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD.

             For Requirement 2 - Before 16 December 2009.
             This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 January 2009.
Background:  This AD requires deactivation of PATS Aircraft, LLC, auxiliary fuel tanks.  This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, which identified unsafe conditions for which the manufacturer has not provided corrective actions.  The issuing of this AD is intended to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapours, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the aeroplane.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

27 November 2008