[Federal Register: December 4, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 233)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 72119-72121]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04de02-15]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Lindstrand Balloons Ltd Fuel Hoses
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to all aircraft (specifically balloons) that
incorporate certain Lindstrand Balloons Ltd (Lindstrand) fuel hoses.
This proposed AD would require you to inspect for certain batches of
installed fuel hoses and repair any of these fuel hoses. This proposed
AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom.
The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect and
replace defective fuel hoses before they result in propane fuel leaks.
Such propane fuel leaks could lead to a propane fuel fire.
DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any
comments on this proposed rule on or before January 10, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments
electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov.
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-50-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 text.
You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD
from Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY 10
8ZZ; telephone: +44 (0) 1691-671717; facsimile: +44 (0) 1691-671122.
You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Chudy, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and
submit your comments to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the
closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking
action.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the proposed rule.
You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date
of the proposed rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the
Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with the public that
concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.
How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to
acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a
self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to
Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard
back to you.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United
Kingdom, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
aircraft (specifically balloons) that incorporate certain Lindstrand
fuel hoses. The CAA reports six incidents of 3/8-inch bore fuel supply
hoses, batch identification number FHL 38381 or FHL 40579, failing in
service.
The typical failure observed is of liquid fuel escaping at any
position along the length of the hose and through the pinpricking on
the outer surface. The leakage observed varies from small bubbles, when
leak detection fluid is used on the surface of the hose, to visible
jets of liquid propane.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Such
propane fuel leaks could lead to a propane fuel fire.
Is there service information that applies to this subject?
Lindstrand has issued Service Bulletin No. 7, Issue 1, dated July 11,
2002.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Inspecting all fuel hoses, including burner supply hoses, basket
manifolds, and refueling hoses to detect the installation of hose batch
FHL 38381 or FHL 40579; and
--Obtaining replacement fuel hoses and replacement instructions.
What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued British AD Number 002-07-2002, dated
July 12, 2002, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
balloons in the United Kingdom.
Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement?
These aircraft models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and are
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This
Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA;
reviewed all available information, including the service information
referenced above; and determined that:
[[Page 72120]]
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could
develop on type design aircraft (specifically balloons on the U.S.
Registry) that incorporate certain Lindstrand Balloons Ltd fuel hoses;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
Cost Impact
How many aircraft would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 204 aircraft (specifically balloons) in the
U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected aircraft? We estimate the following costs to
accomplish the proposed inspection:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per Total cost on U.S.
aircraft operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60......... Not applicable..................... $60. $60 x 204 = $12,240.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of
aircraft that may need such replacement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per hose
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60 per Replacement hoses $60.
hose. provided by
manufacturer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Impact
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations
proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it is determined that this
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive
Order 13132.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if
promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at
the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Lindstrand Balloons Ltd: Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects any
aircraft (specifically balloons), certificated in any category, that
incorporate Lindstrand 3/8-inch bore hoses from either hose batches
FHL 38381 or FHL 40579.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the aircraft identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to detect and replace defective fuel hoses
before they result in propane fuel leaks. Such propane fuel leaks
could lead to a propane fuel fire.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect all \3/8\-inch bore hoses used within the aircraft, Within 5 hours time-in-service after the In accordance with Linstrand Balloons Ltd
including burner supply hoses, basket manifolds, and refueling effective date of this AD. Service Bulletin No. 7, Issue 1, dated
goses to determine if the hose is from either defective hose July 11, 2002.
batch FHL 38381 or FHL 40579.
(2) If any hose from the defective hose batch is found during the Prior to further flight after the Obtain this repair scheme through the FAA
inspection: inspection in which the hose from the at the address specified in paragraph
(i) Obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the FAA defective hose batch is found. (f) of this AD.
at the address specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
(ii) Incorporate this repair scheme.
(3) Do not install Lindstrand \3/8\-inch bore fuel hoses from As of the effective date of this AD. Not applicable.
either hose batch FHL 38381 or FHL 40579, unless repaired per
paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of this AD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 72121]]
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Standards Office Manager.
Note 1: This AD applies to each aircraft (specifically balloons)
with a Lindstrand Balloons Ltd \3/8\-inch fuel hose identified in
paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For aircraft (specifically balloons) that
have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of
the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance in
accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include
an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or
repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if you
have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you
propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roger Chudy, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
(g) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD?
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from
Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY 10
8ZZ; telephone: +44 (0) 1691-671717; facsimile: +44 (0) 1691-671122.
You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD Number
002-07-2002, dated July 12, 2002.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 26, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-30778 Filed 12-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P