{"id":"F2008L04603","name":"AD/B727/216 - Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","slug":"ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":120942,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L04603-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/B727/216 | Auxiliary Fuel Tanks | 1/2009 |\n| ----------- | -------------------- | ------ |\n\n```html\n

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.

\n```\n\n| Compliance: | For Requirement 1 - Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD.For Requirement 2 - Before 16 December 2009. |\n| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 January 2009. |\n| 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. |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nJames Coyne \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n27 November 2008\n\n| AD/B727/216Appendix A | Auxiliary Fuel Tanks | 1/2009 |\n| --------------------- | -------------------- | ------ |\n\nDeactivation Criteria\n\nThe auxiliary fuel tank deactivation procedure as detailed in Requirement 2 of this AD should address the following actions.\n\n1. Permanently drain auxiliary fuel tanks, and clear them of fuel vapours to eliminate the possibility of out-gassing of fuel vapours from the emptied auxiliary tank.\n\n2. Disconnect all electrical connections from the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS), fuel pumps if applicable, float switches, and all other electrical connections required for auxiliary tank operation, and stow them at the auxiliary tank interface.\n\n3. Disconnect all pneumatic connections if applicable, cap them at the pneumatic source, and secure them.\n\n4. Disconnect all fuel feed and fuel vent plumbing interfaces with aeroplane original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tanks, cap them at the aeroplane tank side, and secure them in accordance with a method approved by the CASA; one approved method is specified in AC 25-8 Auxiliary Fuel System Installations. In order to eliminate the possibility of structural deformation during cabin decompression, leave open and secure the disconnected auxiliary fuel tank vent lines.\n\n5. Pull and collar all circuit breakers used to operate the auxiliary tank.\n\n6. Revise the weight and balance document, if required, and obtain CASA approval.\n\n7. Amend the applicable sections of the applicable aeroplane flight manual (AFM) to indicate that the auxiliary fuel tank is deactivated. Remove auxiliary fuel tank operating procedures to ensure that only the OEM fuel system operational procedures are contained in the AFM. Amend the Limitations Section of the AFM to indicate that the AFM Supplement for the STC is not in effect. Place a placard in the flight deck indicating that the auxiliary tank is deactivated. The AFM revisions specified in this paragraph may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.\n\n8. Amend the applicable sections of the applicable aeroplane maintenance manual to remove auxiliary tank maintenance procedures.\n\n9. After the auxiliary fuel tank is deactivated, accomplish procedures such as leak checks and pressure checks deemed necessary before returning the aeroplane to service. These procedures must include verification that the aeroplane FQIS and fuel distribution systems have not been adversely affected.\n\n10. Revise the instructions for continued airworthiness, as required, after deactivation.\n\n11. Include with the operator's proposed procedures any relevant information or additional steps that are deemed necessary by the operator to comply with the deactivation and return the aeroplane to service.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B727/216","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B727/216","content":"## AD/B727/216","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","sectionType":"part","heading":"Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","content":"## Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"1/2009","sectionType":"part","heading":"1/2009","content":"## 1/2009","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B727/216Appendix A","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B727/216Appendix A","content":"## AD/B727/216 \nAppendix A","sortOrder":4}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains focused scope on auxiliary fuel tank deactivation for Boeing 727 series aircraft. The Appendix A criteria expand on implementation details but do not broaden the original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple specific aircraft models and STC combinations requiring cross-referencing against Table 1","Two distinct compliance requirements with different deadlines (45 days vs fixed date)","Detailed technical deactivation criteria in Appendix A with 11 specific procedural steps","Reference to external FAA AD (2008-22-01) and advisory circular (AC 25-8)","Requirement for CASA approval of deactivation procedures","Multiple documentation amendments required (AFM, maintenance manuals, weight/balance)"],"plain_english_summary":"CASA has issued a mandatory Airworthiness Directive requiring owners/operators of Boeing 727 (including 727‑100/200) fitted with certain aftermarket auxiliary fuel tanks (specific STCs) to report aircraft and usage details within 45 days and to deactivate those tanks by 16 December 2009. The action responds to identified ignition-source risks inside the tanks that could lead to explosion and loss of the aircraft."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The AD effectively removes authorised in‑service use of auxiliary fuel tanks installed under the listed STCs by requiring operators to deactivate them and cease auxiliary‑tank operations (Requirement 2; Compliance dates). That change reverses the operational scope created by the STCs: operators must revert to OEM fuel‑system operation, update manuals and weight‑and‑balance data, and seek CASA approval for deactivation methods, while bearing technical and administrative compliance costs (Requirement 1; Appendix A items 6–10)."},"complexity_factors":["Safety‑critical technical work required (drain tanks, clear vapours, disconnect electrical/pneumatic/fuel interfaces) (Requirement 2; Appendix A items 1–4).","Verification and testing obligations (leak/pressure checks; verify FQIS and fuel distribution unaffected) (Appendix A item 9).","Regulatory approval required for deactivation method (CASA approval for procedure and weight/balance revisions) (Requirement 2; Appendix A item 6).","Documentation and operational changes (AFM, Limitations, placards, maintenance manuals, instructions for continued airworthiness) (Appendix A items 7,8,10).","Administrative reporting with a short compliance window (report to CASA within 45 days) (Requirement 1; Compliance).","Interaction with multiple STCs across aircraft variants and possible cross‑jurisdictional reference to FAA AD (Applicability table; Note 2).","Potential operational impact and opportunity cost to operators who lose auxiliary‑tank capability (de facto removal of STC functionality).","Requirement to secure leftover components without affecting airworthiness and to avoid introducing new maintenance burdens (Requirement 2; Appendix A items 2–4)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Boeing 727s fitted with specified auxiliary fuel‑tank STCs to (a) report tank installation and usage to CASA and (b) deactivate those auxiliary tanks under a CASA‑approved procedure. The stated purpose is to eliminate potential ignition sources inside auxiliary tanks identified in manufacturer fuel‑system reviews. Owners/operators pay the costs: they must stop using the STC tanks, carry out technical disconnection and verification work, update AFM and maintenance documents, revise weight‑and‑balance if needed, and obtain CASA approvals."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-216-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/documents"}}