Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 Series Airplanes; Model 747 Series Airplanes; and Model 757 Series Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-24-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the airplane models described previously by individual notices. This AD requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to require the flightcrew to maintain certain minimum fuel levels in the center fuel tanks and, for certain airplanes, to prohibit the use of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank and the certain center auxiliary fuel tanks. This action is prompted by reports indicating that two fuel tank pumps showed evidence of extreme localized overheating of parts in the priming and vapor pump section of the fuel pump; such overheating provides an ignition source in the fuel tank during dry running of the pump, which could result in fire/explosion of the fuel tank. The actions specified by this AD are intended to require the flightcrew to maintain certain minimum fuel levels in the center fuel tanks and, for certain airplanes and, for certain airplanes to prohibit the use of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank and certain center auxiliary fuel tanks.