[Federal Register: October 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 208)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 61334-61336]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28oc03-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD; Amendment 39-13348; AD 2003-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Models
PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Aerostar Aircraft Corporation (Aerostar) Models PA-60-600, PA-60-601,
PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes that incorporate
supplemental type certificate (STC) SA1608NM (Machen Inc. Kit No. 76-1
Auxiliary Fuel Tank). This AD requires you to repetitively inspect all
auxiliary fuel transfer pumps for leaks, seeping, or any sign of
staining. This AD also requires you to replace any pump found with
leaks, seeping, and any sign of staining. This AD is the result of
reports of fuel leaking from the fuel transfer pumps installed below
the auxiliary fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
leaks in the auxiliary fuel transfer pumps, which could result in fire
or explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a condition could
result in loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 17, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of
November 17, 2003.
We must receive any comments on this AD by December 23, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this AD:
[sbull] By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD, 901 Locust, Room
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
[sbull] By fax: (816) 329-3771. [sbull] By e-mail: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent
electronically must contain ``Docket No.
[[Page 61335]]
2003-CE-44-AD'' in the subject line. If you send comments
electronically as attached electronic files, the files must be
formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
Machen Inc., 10555 Airport Drive, Hayden Lake, Idaho 83835; telephone:
(208) 762-7814; facsimile: (208) 762-8349.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Simonson, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055; telephone: (425) 917-6507; facsimile: (425)
917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? We have received reports of fuel
leaks in the fuel transfer pumps on the auxiliary fuel tank installed
in the baggage compartment per STC SA1608NM on Aerostar Models PA-60-
600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes. The
leaks were discovered through normal maintenance.
The problem is the result of fuel seeping through the wire
insulation on the auxiliary fuel tank transfer pump and running out
through the knife splice connection.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in fire or
explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a condition could
result of loss of the airplane.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Machen
Inc. has issued Service Bulletin SB76-009, dated August 1, 2003.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Repetitively inspecting the auxiliary fuel tank transfer pumps for
leaks, seeping, and any sign of staining; and
--Replacing any pump found with leaks, seeping, and any sign of
staining.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD
What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop
on other products of this same type design.
Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other Aerostar Models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P,
PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes of the same type design with STC
SA1608NM installed, this AD is being issued to detect and correct leaks
in the auxiliary fuel transfer pumps, which could result in fire or
explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a condition could
result of loss of the airplane.
What does this AD require? This AD requires you to incorporate the
actions in the previously-referenced service bulletin.
In preparation of this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft
operators to obtain technical information and information on
operational and economic impacts. We did not receive any information
through these contacts. If received, we would have included, in the
rulemaking docket, a discussion of any information that may have
influenced this action.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes
material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and
alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was
included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14
CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Comments Invited
Will I have the opportunity to comment prior to the issuance of the
rule? This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an
address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD''
in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge
receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped
postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your
postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of
the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts
us through a nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place
the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.
Regulatory Findings
Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2003-22-01 Aerostar Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-13348; Docket
No. 2003-CE-44-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on November 17, 2003.
Are Any Other ADs Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
[[Page 61336]]
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects the following airplane models that are:
(1) Modified to incorporate supplemental type certificate (STC)
SA1608NM (Machen Inc. Kit No. 76-1, Auxiliary Fuel Tank); and
(2) certificated in any category.
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Model Serial Nos.
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PA-60-600.................................... All.
PA-60-601.................................... All.
PA-60-601P................................... All.
PA-60-602P................................... All.
PA-60-700P................................... All.
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What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of reports of fuel leaking from the
fuel transfer pumps. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
leaks in the auxiliary fuel transfer pumps, which could result in
fire or explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a
condition could result of loss of the airplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect all auxiliary fuel Within the next 10 In accordance with
tank transfer pumps for hours time-in- Machen Inc.
leaking, seeping, and any signs service (TIS) Service Bulletin
of staining. after November SB 76-009, dated
17, 2003 (the August 1, 2003.
effective date of
this AD).
Repetitively
inspect
thereafter at
intervals not to
exceed 50 hours
TIS.
(2) Replace any auxiliary fuel Prior to further In accordance with
transfer pump that is leaking, flight after any Machen Inc.
seeping, or has any signs of inspection Service Bulletin
staining. required in SB 76-009, dated
paragraph (e)(1) August 1, 2003.
of this AD in
which leaking,
seeping, or any
signs of staining
is found.
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What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA.
For information on any already approved alternative methods of
compliance, contact Richard Simonson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton,
Washington 98055; telephone: (425) 917-6507; facsimile: (425) 917-
6590.
Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?
(g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Machen Inc.
Service Bulletin SB 76-009, dated August 1, 2003. The Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this
service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. You may get a copy from Machen Inc., 10555 Airport Drive, Hayden
Lake, Idaho 83835; telephone: (208) 762-7814; facsimile: (208) 762-
8349. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26833 Filed 10-27-03; 8:45 am]
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