FAR 91.1507 — Fuel Tank Inspection Program
FAR 91.1507 requires large transport-category turbine airplanes to follow an approved SFAR 88-based fuel tank system inspection program. Key facts for pilots.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1507 requires operators of certain large, transport-category, turbine-powered airplanes to maintain an approved fuel tank system inspection program. The rule applies to airplanes type-certificated after January 1, 1958 that have either:
- A maximum passenger capacity of 30 or more, or
- A maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or more.
Why it matters: after fuel tank explosions on aircraft like TWA 800, the FAA issued SFAR 88 to address ignition sources inside fuel tanks. This section makes those protections part of ongoing maintenance.
Key requirements:
- After December 16, 2008, the airplane's inspection program must include fuel tank system inspections, procedures, and limitations based on Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) developed under SFAR 88 or § 25.1529.
- Before returning an airplane to service after alterations covered by SFAR 88, the operator must update the inspection program with the new fuel tank ICA.
- Program revisions must be submitted to the responsible Flight Standards office for approval.
The rule lists several legacy airplane models (e.g., Concorde, Airbus Caravelle, Lockheed L-300) that are excluded.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1507§ 91.1507 Fuel tank system inspection program.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, this section applies to transport category, turbine-powered airplanes with a type certificate issued after January 1, 1958, that, as a result of original type certification or later increase in capacity, have—
(1) A maximum type-certificated passenger capacity of 30 or more, or
(2) A maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or more.
(b) For each airplane on which an auxiliary fuel tank is installed under a field approval, before June 16, 2008, the operator must submit to the responsible Aircraft Certification Service Office proposed maintenance instructions for the tank that meet the requirements of Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (SFAR 88) of this chapter.
(c) After December 16, 2008, no operator may operate an airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this section unless the inspection program for that airplane has been revised to include applicable inspections, procedures, and limitations for fuel tank systems.
(d) The proposed fuel tank system inspection program revisions specified in paragraph (c) of this section must be based on fuel tank system Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) that have been developed in accordance with the applicable provisions of SFAR 88 of this chapter or § 25.1529 and part 25, Appendix H, of this chapter, in effect on June 6, 2001 (including those developed for auxiliary fuel tanks, if any, installed under supplemental type certificates or other design approval) and that have been approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service Office.
(e) After December 16, 2008, before returning an airplane to service after any alterations for which fuel tank ICA are developed under SFAR 88, or under § 25.1529 in effect on June 6, 2001, the operator must include in the inspection program for the airplane inspections and procedures for the fuel tank system based on those ICA.
(f) The fuel tank system inspection program changes identified in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section and any later fuel tank system revisions must be submitted to the Flight Standards office responsible for review and approval.
(g) This section does not apply to the following airplane models:
(1) Bombardier CL-44
(2) Concorde
(3) deHavilland D.H. 106 Comet 4C
(4) VFW-Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werk VFW-614
(5) Illyushin Aviation IL 96T
(6) Bristol Aircraft Britannia 305
(7) Handley Page Herald Type 300
(8) Avions Marcel Dassault—Breguet Aviation Mercure 100C
(9) Airbus Caravelle
(10) Lockheed L-300
[Amdt. 91-297, 72 FR 63410, Nov. 8, 2007, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 91-350, 83 FR 9172, Mar. 5, 2018]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Which airplanes are subject to the fuel tank system inspection program requirement?
Per FAR 91.1507(a), it applies to transport-category, turbine-powered airplanes type-certificated after January 1, 1958, with a maximum passenger capacity of 30 or more, or a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or more.
Q2What must the fuel tank system inspection program be based on?
FAR 91.1507(d) requires the program to be based on fuel tank system Instructions for Continued Airworthiness developed under SFAR 88 or § 25.1529 and Part 25 Appendix H, and approved by the responsible Aircraft Certification Service Office.
Q3If an operator alters a fuel tank system, what must happen before the airplane returns to service?
Under FAR 91.1507(e), the operator must update the airplane's inspection program to include inspections and procedures based on the fuel tank ICA developed under SFAR 88 or § 25.1529 before returning it to service.
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