EASA AD US-2020-11-11
Fuel - Center Wing Tank Fuel Quantity Indicating System - Check / AFM Revision
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2020-11-11 addresses certain Boeing 777 airplanes. It mandates repetitive checks of the center wing tank fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) and requires revisions to the airplane flight manual (AFM) to improve flight crew awareness and verification procedures. This directive aims to correct discrepancies between the FQIS fuel quantity and the refueling truck's uploaded fuel amount that have led to unsafe fuel quantity readings.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a requirement for operators to perform repetitive checks of the FQIS fuel quantity calculation for the center wing tank using a new Refueling Station Door Cycling Procedure. It also requires developing a process to document these checks for the flight crew and revising the AFM to include verification procedures to enhance crew awareness. The directive is an interim action pending a future Boeing modification.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals because discrepancies in fuel quantity readings can lead to insufficient fuel onboard, posing a risk of fuel exhaustion and engine power loss during flight. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure accurate fuel quantity verification to prevent potential diversions or uncontrolled flight incidents. Compliance enhances flight safety by addressing a known design flaw in the Boeing 777's center wing tank FQIS.
What To Do
Affected operators must implement the repetitive FQIS fuel quantity checks using the specified procedure and update the AFM to incorporate new verification steps. They must also establish documentation processes to confirm these checks are completed and ensure flight crews are informed. The directive is effective June 18, 2020, and comments are accepted until July 20, 2020.
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