96-11167. Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 20125-20127]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-11167]
    
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD; Amendment 39-9610; AD 96-10-05]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. 
    Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Maule) Models M-
    4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that have Dual Exhaust System 5230F 
    installed. This action requires relocating the gascolator and electric 
    fuel pump away from the dual exhaust system. The Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA) recently became aware that, with these dual 
    exhaust systems installed on the affected airplanes, the left-hand 
    exhaust stack is routed almost directly below the fuel gascolator. The 
    close proximity of the flammable fuel to the exhaust system presents an 
    unsafe condition and violates current regulations. The actions 
    specified by this AD are intended to prevent an airplane engine fire 
    caused by the close proximity of the fuel gascolator and electric fuel 
    pump to the exhaust system.
    
    DATES: Effective June 21, 1996.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of June 21, 1996.
    
    
    [[Page 20126]]
    
    
    ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
    from Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., Lake Maule, Route 5, Box 318, 
    Moultrie, Georgia 31768; telephone (912) 985-2045; facsimile (912) 890-
    2402. This information may also be examined at the FAA, Central Region, 
    Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-
    22-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 
    at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Juanita Craft-Lloyd, Aerospace 
    Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 
    1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
    telephone (404) 305-7373; facsimile (404) 305-7348.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
    to Maule Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that have Dual Exhaust 
    System 5230F installed was published in the Federal Register on June 
    12, 1995 (60 FR 35877). The action proposed to require relocating the 
    gascolator and electric fuel pump. Accomplishment of the proposed 
    action would be in accordance with Maule Service Bulletin No. 10, dated 
    September 16, 1994.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
    proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
        After careful review of all available information related to the 
    subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
    public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
    minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
    corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
    additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
        The FAA estimates that 125 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
    rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $158 per 
    airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
    U.S. operators is estimated to be $79,750. This figure is based on the 
    assumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has 
    relocated the gascolator and electric fuel pump.
        Maule has informed the FAA that enough parts have been distributed 
    to accomplish the relocation on two of the affected airplanes. Assuming 
    that each owner/operator that received parts has accomplished the 
    relocation, the cost impact upon the public is reduced by $1,276 from 
    $79,750 to $78,474.
        The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) 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 final 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, Incorporation by 
    reference, Safety.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to 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
    
        1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD) to read as follows:
    
    96-10-05  Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc.: Amendment 39-9610; 
    Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD.
    
        Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
    certificated in any category, that have Dual Exhaust System 5230F 
    installed:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                           Serial numbers           
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    M-4-210                             1001 through 1045.                  
    M-4-210C                            1001C through 1080C.                
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        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 (c) 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 within the next 50 hours time-in- 
    service after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
    accomplished.
    
        To prevent an airplane engine fire caused by the close proximity 
    of the fuel gascolator and electric fuel pump to the exhaust system, 
    accomplish the following:
        (a) Relocate the gascolator and fuel pump from above the air 
    egress to the left-side of the airplane in accordance with Maule 
    Service Bulletin No. 10, dated September 16, 1994.
        (b) 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.
        (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
    (ACO), Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College 
    Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an 
    appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
    send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.
    
        Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
    
        (d) The relocation required by this AD shall be done in 
    accordance with Maule Service Bulletin No. 10, dated September 16, 
    1994. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
    of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51. Copies may be obtained from Maule Aerospace Technology, 
    Inc., Lake Maule, Route 5, Box 318, Moultrie, Georgia 31768. Copies 
    may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
    Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 
    or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
    NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (e) This amendment (39-9610) becomes effective on June 21, 1996.
    
    
    [[Page 20127]]
    
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 30, 1996.
    Bobby W. Sexton,
    Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-11167 Filed 5-3-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/21/1996
Published:
05/06/1996
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-11167
Dates:
Effective June 21, 1996.
Pages:
20125-20127 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD, Amendment 39-9610, AD 96-10-05
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
96-11167.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13