FAA Updates Airworthiness Directive for Certain Boeing 767 Jets, Fuel Tank Issue

FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has updated the following Airworthiness Directive (AD):

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes.

That AD currently requires sealing certain fasteners and stiffeners in the fuel tank, changing certain wire bundle clamp configurations on the fuel tank walls, inspecting certain fasteners in the fuel tanks and determining the method of attachment of the vortex generators; and performing corrective actions if necessary.

This new AD adds a general visual inspection for the presence of a polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeve at the clamp location on the rear spar, and
installation of a TFE sleeve if necessary. This new AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, and the identification of another possible ignition source location.

We are issuing this AD to prevent possible ignition sources in the auxiliary (center) fuel tank, main fuel tanks, and surge tanks caused by a wiring short or lightning strike, which could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This AD is effective August 20, 2013.