The US Federal Aviation Administration has asked air-cargo carriers to suggest how best to limit operations of their Boeing 727 freighters, converted by third parties. The aviation agency says that restrictions will be issued because the 727 modifications "-contain design features which apparently do not comply with the Federal Aviation Regulations [FARs] and appear to be unsafe."
Since late 1996, US cargo carriers have braced themselves for an FAA airworthiness directive (AD) which would restrict the payload of some 200 freighter conversions (Flight International, 8-14 January).
"We now need to address these problems and provide appropriate interim limitations or procedures to ensure safe operation of these aircraft where necessary," the FAA says. It asks affected operators to attend a meeting on 14 February to "-provide information that would facilitate an approach to corrective action that is as equitable as possible to operators, yet provides for safe operation".
Source: Flight International
