EASA AD US-2020-07-14
Fuel - Bonding Jumpers on the Auxiliary Power Unit Fuel Pump - Replacement, Installation, and Inspection
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2020-07-14 addresses certain Boeing 747 series airplanes, including models 747-100 through 747SP. This directive mandates replacement, installation, and inspection of bonding jumpers on the auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel pump and other related fuel pumps to ensure adequate electrical bonding. The directive aims to correct insufficient bond resistance margins identified in fuel system reviews.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive requires operators to replace bonding jumpers on the APU fuel pump, install a second bonding jumper on certain airplanes, inspect override/jettison and transfer/jettison fuel pumps for bonding jumper braid type, and replace bonding jumpers if necessary. It also mandates replacement of bonding jumpers on the electrical scavenge fuel pump. The directive clarifies compliance credit related to previous Boeing service bulletins.
Why It Matters
Proper electrical bonding of fuel pump components is critical to prevent electrical arcing that could ignite fuel vapors, posing a risk of fuel tank explosion. This directive ensures operators maintain safe bonding resistance margins, enhancing overall fuel system safety. Compliance is essential for operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams to mitigate potential safety hazards and regulatory penalties.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 747 series airplanes must comply with the directive by May 18, 2020. Required actions include replacing bonding jumpers on the APU fuel pump, installing additional bonding jumpers where applicable, inspecting fuel pumps for bonding jumper braid type, and replacing jumpers as needed. Operators should consult Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2228, Revision 1, for detailed procedures and maintain records of compliance.
Your fleet's weekly compliance brief
AI-summarized regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and action items — filtered to your aircraft, every Monday.
AI-generated summary from official EASA source document. Always verify against the original.