{"id":"F2009L03938","name":"AD/B727/219 - Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","slug":"ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":81350,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L03938-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","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/B727/219 | Auxiliary Fuel Tanks | 12/2009 |\n| ----------- | -------------------- | ------- |\n\n| Applicability: | Model 727-281 aeroplanes equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks installed in accordance with United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA3449NM.                                                                                  |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Deactivate the auxiliary fuel tanks, in accordance with a procedure approved by:Manager, Continuing AirworthinessAirworthiness and Engineering BranchCivil Aviation Safety AuthorityGPO Box 2005Canberra ACT 2600Facsimile 07 3144 7388.                                    |\n|                | 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 may not result in the need for additional instructions for continued airworthiness. |\n|                | Note 1: Appendix A of this Directive provides criteria that might need to be included in the deactivation procedure. Timely approval is dependent on early submittal of the deactivation procedures.                                                                        |\n|                | Note 2: For technical information, contact Dan Zevallos, Director of Program Management, Rogerson Aircraft Corporation, 2201 Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92606 USA; telephone 0011 1 949 442-2306; fax 0011 1 949 442-2322.                                           |\n|                | Note 3: FAA AD 2009-20-01 Amdt 39-16024 refers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| Compliance:    | Within 90 days after the effective date of this Directive.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 November 2009.                                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n| Background:    | This Directive requires deactivation of Rogerson Aircraft Corporation auxiliary fuel tanks. This Directive results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, which identified potential unsafe conditions but has not provided associated corrective actions. |\n\n|     | The Directive is issued 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\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n30 September 2009\n\n  \nAppendix A - Deactivation Criteria\n\nThe auxiliary fuel tank deactivation procedure required this AD might need to 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\n> Note:\n\n \n\n> Note: If applicable, removing the bladder mi\n\n> Note: ght help eliminate out-gassing.\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 approved method; one approved method is specified in FAA Advisory Circular AC 25-8 Auxiliary Fuel Tank Systems 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 aircraft 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. 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/B727/219","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B727/219","content":"## AD/B727/219","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","sectionType":"part","heading":"Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","content":"## Auxiliary Fuel Tanks","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"12/2009","sectionType":"part","heading":"12/2009","content":"## 12/2009","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive applies specifically to 727‑281 aeroplanes with the Rogerson auxiliary tank STC (SA3449NM) and requires deactivation to address identified fuel‑system safety concerns. The scope is confined to those installations and aligns with the stated background that reviews identified unsafe conditions in the Rogerson auxiliary tanks (Applicability; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: only Model 727‑281 aeroplanes with Rogerson auxiliary tanks installed under FAA STC SA3449NM (Applicability).","Regulatory approval required: deactivation must follow a procedure approved by the Manager, Continuing Airworthiness (Requirement).","Detailed technical steps listed in Appendix A (drain tanks, remove vapours/bladders if applicable, disconnect electrical/pneumatic/fuel interfaces, cap and secure lines, pull/collar circuit breakers, leak and pressure checks, verify FQIS and fuel distribution systems).","Operational/documentation changes: revise AFM (remove STC supplement), placard cockpit, amend maintenance manual, and possibly revise weight and balance with CASA approval (Appendix A paras 6–8).","Compliance timing: work must be done within 90 days of the effective date (Compliance).","Cost and downtime risk to operators from labour, engineering, and aircraft out-of-service time; removal or securing of components may require shop support and coordination with STC supplier (Requirement; Appendix A; Notes 2).","Approval timing uncertainty: CASA approval is required and timely approval depends on early submittal of procedures (Requirement, Note 1).","Interoperability/technical dependence: references FAA guidance (AC 25-8) and FAA AD 2009-20-01 for related technical context (Requirement; Notes)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of Boeing 727‑281 aeroplanes fitted with Rogerson auxiliary fuel tanks (installed under FAA STC SA3449NM) to deactivate those tanks using a procedure approved by the CASA Manager, Continuing Airworthiness. Affected operators must secure any remaining tank components, update flight and maintenance manuals and placards, perform checks (including leak/pressure and FQIS verification), and obtain any needed weight‑and‑balance approval within 90 days. The directive is presented as a measure to prevent potential ignition sources inside auxiliary fuel tanks."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope. It targets a specific safety defect in a specific aircraft modification (Rogerson Aircraft Corporation auxiliary tanks on 727-281s) and does not expand beyond that original purpose. The appendix provides detailed implementation guidance but does not broaden the regulatory reach."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific applicability (one aircraft model with one specific STC)","Clear, linear compliance requirements with 10 numbered steps in Appendix A","Minimal defined terms (only standard aviation acronyms like FQIS, STC, OEM, AFM)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — the requirement is absolute","Short document (approximately 1 page of substantive content plus appendix)","Single cross-reference to FAA AD 2009-20-01 for background only","Straightforward compliance deadline (90 days from effective date)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires operators of Boeing 727-281 aeroplanes with auxiliary fuel tanks installed via STC SA3449NM to permanently disable those tanks. CASA ordered this after inspections found potential ignition sources inside the tanks creating an explosion risk and the manufacturer did not provide a safe fix.\n\nWithin 90 days of 19 Nov 2009, affected operators must drain and render the tanks inoperative, isolate and secure all connections, update manuals/records, and get CASA approval for the deactivation."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-219-auxiliary-fuel-tanks/documents"}}