AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-041/2001

Date of issue: May 10, 2001

AIRCRAFT - CENTER FUEL TANK - INSPECTION

Applicability: All Model 737 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Effective date: May 10, 2001

Compliance: Required as indicated in FAA AD 2001-08-24.

Remarks: The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270.

Ing. Pavel MATOUŠEK

Director of Airworthiness Division

CAA CZ

2001-08-24 BOEING: Amendment 39-12201. Docket 2001-NM-94-AD.

Applicability: All Model 737 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent ignition of fuel vapors due to the generation of sparks and a potential ignition source inside the center tank caused by metal-to-metal contact during dry fuel pump operation, which could result in a fire or explosion of the fuel tank, accomplish the following:

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM to include the following information. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

"For ground operation, center tank fuel pump switches must not be positioned to "ON" unless the center tank fuel quantity exceeds 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms), except when defueling or transferring fuel.

Center tank fuel pump switches must be positioned to "OFF" when both center tank fuel pump low pressure lights illuminate.

Center tank fuel pumps must not be "ON" unless personnel are available in the flight deck to monitor low pressure lights."

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

Note 1: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Effective Date

(d) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherry Vevea, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1360; fax (425) 227-1181.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18, 2001.

Donald L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service