[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6067]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-01-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Nordskog Water Heaters and Coffee 
Makers as Installed in Various Airplanes

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 Nordskog water heaters and 
coffee makers. This proposal would require an inspection to determine 
whether certain discrepant pressure relief valves have been installed 
in certain galley water heaters and coffee makers; and either 
replacement of the discrepant valves, or discontinued use and 
installation of placards. This proposal is prompted by reports of 
injuries to cabin crew members that resulted from explosions of galley 
water heaters. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent explosions of galley water heaters and coffee makers, and 
subsequent injuries to passengers or cabin crew members.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 9, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-01-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Aircraft Products Company, 12807 Lake Drive, P.O. Box 
130, Delray Beach, Florida 33447-0130. This information may be examined 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Eierman, Systems and Equipment 
Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles ACO, 
3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone 
(310) 988-5336; fax (310) 988-5210.

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 94-NM-01-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. 94-NM-01-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On November 15, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-23-01, Amendment 39-8735 
(58 FR 61618, November 22, 1993), applicable to certain Nordskog water 
heaters and coffee makers installed in various airplanes, to require an 
inspection to determine whether certain NUPRO pressure relief valves 
have been installed in certain Nordskog galley water heaters and coffee 
makers. That AD also requires either replacement of those NUPRO 
pressure relief valves with new, improved NUPRO pressure relief valves, 
or discontinued use of certain Nordskog galley water heaters and coffee 
makers and installation of placards stating, ``Not to be used.'' That 
action was prompted by reports of injuries to cabin crew members that 
resulted from explosions of galley water heaters. The requirements of 
that AD are intended to prevent explosions of galley water heaters and 
coffee makers, and subsequent injuries to passengers or cabin crew 
members.
    The incident reports that prompted AD 93-23-01 involved units with 
an integral check valve; AD 93-23-01 applies only to units with the 
integral check valve. In the preamble to that AD, the FAA indicated 
that it was evaluating the need for additional AD action to address 
other installations that incorporate the same pressure relief valve 
design. The FAA now finds that Nordskog water heaters and coffee makers 
without the integral check valve also use the same pressure relief 
valve. Therefore, these units could also be subject to the same unsafe 
condition as addressed by AD 93-23-01.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved Nordskog Industries, Inc., 
Service Bulletin SB-93-35, dated October 21, 1993, that describes 
procedures for an inspection to determine whether certain NUPRO 
pressure relief valves have been installed in certain Nordskog galley 
water heaters and coffee makers; and replacement of those NUPRO 
pressure relief valves with new, improved NUPRO pressure relief valves. 
The manufacturer has advised that the discrepant pressure relief valve 
has been installed in certain Nordskog galley water heaters and coffee 
makers that either were manufactured between January 1990 and July 
1991, or have been serviced since January 1990. The manufacturer has 
also advised the FAA that this problem has been corrected on the new 
model number pressure relief valves installed by Nordskog since July 
1991. The effectivity listing of this service bulletin includes the 
model numbers of Nordskog galley water heaters and coffee makers on 
which the discrepant relief valves may be installed.
    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 an inspection to determine whether certain 
NUPRO pressure relief valves have been installed in certain Nordskog 
galley water heaters and coffee makers. This proposed AD would also 
require either replacement of those NUPRO pressure relief valves with 
new, improved NUPRO pressure relief valves, or discontinued use of 
certain Nordskog galley water heaters and coffee makers and 
installation of placards stating, ``Not to be used.'' The actions would 
be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.
    The FAA is aware that the subject water heaters and coffee makers 
are installed in various airplanes. There are approximately 300 of 
these airplanes in the worldwide fleet; the FAA estimates that 200 
airplanes are of U.S. registry. It would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. (There are approximately 4 
water heaters and/or coffee makers installed on each airplane.) The 
cost of required parts is expected to be negligible. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $22,000, or $110 per airplane.
    The total 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 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13   [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Nordskog Industries, Inc.: Docket 94-NM-01-AD.

    Applicability: Nordskog water heaters and coffee makers, as 
listed in Nordskog Industries, Inc., Service Bulletin SB-93-35, 
dated October 21, 1993; as installed in, but not limited to Boeing 
Model 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767 series airplanes; McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and DC-10 series airplanes, and MD-11 
airplanes; Lockheed Model L-1011 series airplanes; Airbus Industrie 
Model A300, A310, and A320 series airplanes; Gulfstream Model G-1159 
series airplanes and Model G-IV airplanes; de Havilland, Inc., Model 
DHC-8 series airplanes; Dassault-Aviation Model Mystere-Falcon 50, 
200, and 900 series airplanes; Canadair Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), 
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) and CL-
600-2B19 series airplanes; and Fokker Model F27 and F28 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent explosions of galley water heaters and coffee makers, 
and subsequent injuries to passengers or cabin crew members, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time inspection to determine whether a NUPRO pressure 
relief valve having part number (P/N) SS-2C4-65 has been installed, 
in accordance with Nordskog Industries, Inc., Service Bulletin SB-
93-35, dated October 21, 1993. If any NUPRO pressure relief valve 
having P/N SS-2C4-65 has been installed, prior to further flight, 
accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Remove the NUPRO pressure relief valve having P/N SS-2C4-65 
and install a new, improved NUPRO pressure relief valve having P/N 
SS-CHF2-65, in accordance with the service bulletin. Or
    (2) Deactivate any Nordskog water heater or coffee maker listed 
in the service bulletin on which a NUPRO pressure relief valve 
having P/N SS-2C4-65 has been installed, and install a placard 
stating, ``Not to be used.''
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a NUPRO pressure relief valve having P/N SS-2C4-65 on any airplane
    (c) 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, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 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 10, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-6067 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U