[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32287-32288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15150]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-13]


Airworthiness Directives; Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 
Series Galley Water Heaters

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 Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 
series galley water heaters. This proposal would require the 
installation of new pressure relief valves, and 3-phase safety devices 
on each Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 series galley water heater. 
This proposal is prompted by a report of a Royal Inventum DR6 water 
heater explosion in the aircraft galley during an overheat test at a 
maintenance facility. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent explosions of Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 
series galley water heaters, which could cause personal injury or 
galley damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95- ANE-13, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from B/E Aerospace, Inventum Galley Products Division (Royal 
Inventum Company), P.O. Box 250, 3430 AG Nieuwegin, The Netherlands. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office 
of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Fahr, Aerospace Engineer, Boston 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 
12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA , 01803-5299; telephone 
(617) 238-7155, fax (617) 238-7199.

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 should 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 95-ANE-13.'' 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, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-13, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA, 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Director-General of Civil Aviation of the Netherlands, which is 
the airworthiness authority for the Netherlands, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 
series galley water heaters, and is likely to exist or develop on other 
water heaters of the same or similar design. A Royal Inventum Company 
Model DR6 water heater exploded during a simulated overheat test in a 
maintenance facility. The water heater was of an earlier design, which 
did not have a pressure relief valve installed, and did not have a 3-
phase safety device installed on the water tank, resulting in a 
thermostat failure which caused an explosion of the aircraft galley 
water heater.
    Inventum Bilthoven-Holland has issued Service Bulletin's (SB's) 25-
330, Revision 1, dated July 8, 1976; SB 25-331, Revision 1, dated 
September 28, 1977; and Inventum Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) DR1/DR6-
25-4, Revision A, dated December 6, 1993, that specify the installation 
of a pressure relief valve; and Inventum Bilthoven-Holland SB's 25-340, 
dated July 7, 1977; SB 25-344, dated January 18, 1978; SB 25-345, dated 
February 16, 1978; SB 25-346, dated February 16, 1978; and Inventum ASB 
DR1/DR6-25-5, Revision A, dated December 6, 1993, that specify the 
installation of 3-phase safety devices. The Director-General of Civil 
Aviation of the Netherlands has classified these service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued Airworthiness Directive BLA 93-168 (AB), dated 
December 17, 1993, in order to assure the airworthiness of these water 
heaters. [[Page 32288]] 
    This water heater is manufactured in the Netherlands. The FAA has 
examined the findings of the Director-General of Civil Aviation of the 
Netherlands, reviewed all information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this design that are approved for use on 
aircraft registered in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other water heaters of the same design approved for 
use on aircraft registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require the installation of a pressure relief valve and two 3-phase 
safety devices on these water heaters. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin's described 
previously.
    There are approximately 250 water heaters of the affected design 
that are on aircraft of U.S. registry that would be affected by this 
proposed AD, and that it would take approximately six and one half work 
hours per aircraft to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $250 per aircraft. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $94,500.
    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. 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:

Royal Inventum Company: Docket No. 95-ANE-13.

    Applicability: Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 series galley 
water heaters, installed on but not limited to Boeing 727 and 737 
series, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 series; and Fokker F.28 series 
(except Mk. 0100) aircraft.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each water 
heater 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 Royal Inventum 
water heaters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that 
the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the 
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (b) to 
request approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 
This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any Royal Inventum water heater from the applicability of 
this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent possible explosion of water heaters that 
could cause personal injury and aircraft damage, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD install a 
pressure relief valve in accordance with Inventum Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) DR1/DR6-25-4, Revision A, dated December 6, 1993, or 
Inventum Service Bulletin (SB) 25-330, Revision 1, dated July 8, 
1976; or SB 25-331, Revision 1, dated September 28, 1977; and two 3-
phase safety devices in accordance with Inventum ASB DR1/DR6-25-5, 
Revision A, dated December 6, 1993, or SB 25-340, dated July 7, 
1977; SB 25-344, dated January 18, 1978; or SB 25-345, dated 
February 16, 1978; or SB 25-346, dated February 16, 1978.
    (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, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (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 aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-15150 Filed 6-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U