[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14034-14035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7663]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 62 / Friday, March 29, 1996 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 14034]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-31-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 and Model 737 Series
Airplanes Equipped With J.C. Carter Company Fuel Valve Actuators
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 727 and Model
737 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the
actuator of the engine fuel shutoff valve and the fuel system crossfeed
valve with an improved actuator. This proposal is prompted by a report
indicating that, during laboratory tests, the actuator clutch on the
engine shutoff and crossfeed valves slipped at cold temperatures due to
improper functioning. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent improper functioning of these actuators, which
could result in a fuel imbalance due to the inability of the flightcrew
to crossfeed fuel; improperly functioning actuators could also prevent
the pilot from shutting off the fuel to the engine following an engine
failure and/or fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from J.C. Carter Company Inc., Aerospace Components and Repair
Service, 673 W. 17th Street, Costa Mesa, California 92627-3605. This
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen S. Bray, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2681; fax (206) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-NM-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter. Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On July 7, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-15-06, amendment 39-9309 (60
FR 37811, July 24, 1995), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727 and
Model 737 series airplanes, to require replacement of the actuator of
the engine fuel shutoff valve and the fuel system crossfeed valve with
an improved actuator. That action was prompted by reports indicating
that, during laboratory tests on Model 737 series airplanes, the
actuator clutch on the engine shutoff and crossfeed valves slipped at
cold temperatures due to improper functioning. The requirements of that
AD are intended to prevent improper functioning of these actuators,
which could result in a fuel imbalance due to the inability of the
flightcrew to crossfeed fuel; improperly functioning actuators could
also prevent the pilot from shutting off the fuel to the engine
following an engine failure and/or fire.
Since issuance of that AD, the FAA has received a report indicating
that an additional fuel valve actuator having part number (P/N) 40574-5
(Kearfott Model 3715-9) installed on certain Model 727 and Model 737
series airplanes is also subject to the same failure. Therefore, the
FAA has determined that this additional actuator is subject to the same
unsafe condition addressed in AD 95-15-06.
The FAA has reviewed and approved J.C. Carter Company Service
Bulletin 61163-28-09, dated September 28, 1995. The service bulletin
describes procedures for replacement of actuators having P/N 40574-5
(Kearfott Model 3715-9) and P/N 40574-2 (Kearfott Model 3715-7 and
3715-8) on the fuel system crossfeed valve and the engine shutoff
valves. These actuators are replaced with new actuators having P/N
40574-4; or with actuators having P/N 40574-2 (Kearfott Model 3715-7)
with nameplates indicating that they were manufactured by General
Design, Midland Ross, Janitrol Aero Division, or FL Aerospace/General
Design (except FL Aerospace/General Design serial numbers 0001 through
0200, inclusive).
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require replacement of the actuator having P/N 40574-
5 (Kearfott Model 3715-9) on the fuel system crossfeed valve and the
engine shutoff valves
[[Page 14035]]
either with a new actuator having P/N 40574-4, or with an actuator
having P/N 40574-2 and an appropriate nameplate. The actions would be
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously.
Operators should note that, although the service bulletin specifies
replacement of actuators having P/N 40574-5 (Kearfott Model 3715-9) and
P/N 40574-2 (Kearfott Model 3715-7 and 3715-8), this proposed AD would
require replacement of only P/N 40574-5. Actuators having P/N 40574-2
currently are required to be replaced in accordance with AD 95-15-06.
[Note: The FAA's normal policy is that when an AD requires a
substantive change, such as a change (expansion) in its
applicability, the ``old'' AD is superseded by removing it from the
system and a new AD is added. In the case of this AD action, the FAA
normally would have proposed superseding AD 95-15-06 to expand its
applicability to include the J.C. Carter Company fuel valve actuator
having P/N 40574-5 as an additional affected actuator. However, in
reconsideration of the entire fleet size that would be affected by a
supersedure action, and the consequent workload associated with
revising maintenance record entries, the FAA has determined that a
less burdensome approach is to issue a separate AD applicable only
to the additional actuator. This AD does not supersede AD 95-15-06;
airplanes listed in the applicability of AD 95-15-06 are required to
continue to comply with the requirements of that AD. This proposed
AD is a separate AD action, and is applicable only to airplanes
equipped with J.C. Carter Company fuel valve actuator having P/N
40574-5.]
There are approximately 4,137 Boeing Model 727 and Model 737 series
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 2,190 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by
this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by J.C.
Carter Company at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$394,200, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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) 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 is contained 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Boeing: Docket 96-NM-31-AD.
Applicability: All Model 727 and Model 737 series airplanes;
equipped with J.C. Carter Company fuel valve actuator having part
number (P/N) 40574-5; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes 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 (b) 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 the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent improper functioning of a certain actuator, which
could result in a fuel imbalance due to the inability of the
flightcrew to crossfeed fuel, or which could prevent the pilot from
shutting off the fuel to the engine following an engine failure and/
or fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the actuator having P/N 40574-5 (Kearfott Model 3715-9) on
the fuel system crossfeed valve and the engine shutoff valves with
either a new actuator having P/N 40574-4, or an actuator having P/N
40574-2 with a nameplate identified in paragraph III, Material of
J.C. Carter Company Service Bulletin 61163-28-09, dated September
28, 1995. The replacement shall be done in accordance with J.C.
Carter Company Service Bulletin 61163-28-09, dated September 28,
1995.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-7663 Filed 3-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
