[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35877-35878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16976]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD]


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

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 certain Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. 
(Maule) Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that have Dual Exhaust 
System 5230F installed. The proposed action would require 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 the proposed 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: Comments must be received on or before September 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed 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 also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the 
address above.

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:

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 that summarizes 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 No. 95-CE-22-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, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    Maule Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes were originally type 
certificated with a single exhaust system. In 1975, the FAA approved 
Maule Service Kit No. 11: ``Installation of Maule IO-360 Dual Muffler 
System and Additional Cabin Heater Inlet Retrofit Kit.''
    The FAA has recently become aware that installing Dual Exhaust 
System 5230F in accordance with Maule Service Kit No. 11 could present 
an unsafe condition on Maule Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes. 
Under this installation configuration, the left-hand stack is routed 
almost directly below the fuel gascolator, which, when combining the 
high temperatures from the exhaust system with flammable fuel, could 
result in an airplane engine fire. In addition, paragraphs (b) and (c) 
of section 23.1121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 23.1121, 
paragraphs (b) and (c)) specify that the exhaust system must either be 
shielded or routed away from flammable fuels or vapors.
    Maule has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 10, dated September 16, 
1994, which specifies procedures for relocating the gascolator and 
electric fuel pump on Maule Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that 
have Dual Exhaust System 5230F installed.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent an airplane engine 
fire caused by the close proximity of the fuel gascolator and electric 
fuel pump to the exhaust system.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Maule Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes 
of the same type design that have Dual Exhaust System 5230F installed, 
the proposed AD would require relocating the gascolator and electric 
fuel pump. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance 
with Maule SB No. 10, dated September 16, 1994.
    The FAA estimates that 125 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by 

[[Page 35878]]
the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed 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 the proposed 
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 2 of the affected airplanes. Assuming 
that each owner/operator that received parts has accomplished the 
proposed relocation, the cost impact upon the public would be reduced 
by $1,276 from $79,750 to $78,474.
    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 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, 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 a new AD to read as follows:

Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc.: 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
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 airplanes from the applicability of this AD.

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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to Maule Aerospace 
Technology, Inc., Lake Maule, Route 5, Box 318, Moultrie, Georgia 
31768; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 5, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-16976 Filed 7-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U