[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11527-11529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5854]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-13; Amendment 39-9453; AD 95-25-08]


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 Series Galley Water 
Heaters, that requires the installation of a pressure relief valve, and 
3-phase safety devices on each Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 
series galley water heater. This amendment is prompted by a report of a 
Royal Inventum DR6 water heater explosion during an overheat test at a 
maintenance facility. The actions specified by this 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: Effective May 20, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 20, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from B/E Aerospace, Inventum Galley Products Division (Royal 
Inventum Company), P.O. Box 1152, 3430 BD Nieuwegin, The Netherlands. 
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 
series galley water heaters was published in the Federal Register on 
June 21, 1995 (60 FR 32287). That action proposed to 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. 
The actions would be required to be in accordance with Inventum 
Bilthoven-Holland Service Bulletin's (SB's) 25__330, Revision 1, dated 
September 28, 1977; 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.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter states that the Inventum DR6 series water heaters 
have been used on Boeing 747, 757 and 767 series aircraft and 
recommends that the Applicability be changed to show these aircraft. 
The commenter further states that they were unable to determine usage 
of Inventum DR1 and DR6 series water heaters on Boeing 727 and 737 
series aircraft. The FAA agrees. Since the Boeing 727 and 737 series 
aircraft usage was given to the FAA by the Director-General of Civil 
Aviation of the Netherlands, the FAA will retain reference to the 
Boeing 727 and 737 series aircraft in the Applicability section. 
Reference to the Boeing 747, 757 and 767 series aircraft will be added. 
Operators are cautioned, however, not to read the list of aircraft as 
an exclusive list of the aircraft that may have the affected water 
heaters installed. This AD applies to all aircraft with an affected 
water heater, whether or not listed.
    One commenter supports the AD.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden

[[Page 11528]]
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 250 water heaters installed on aircraft of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately six and one half work hours per water heater to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $250 per 
aircraft. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $94,500.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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), 40101, 40113, 44701.


39.13  [Amended]

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

95-25-08 Royal Inventum Company: Amendment 39-9453. Docket 95-ANE-
13.

    Applicability: Royal Inventum Company DR1 and DR6 series galley 
water heaters, installed on but not limited to Boeing 727, 737, 747, 
757 and 767 series, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 series; and Fokker F.28 
series (except Mk. 0100) aircraft.

    Note: This 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 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 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 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 September 
28, 1977; 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.
    (d) The modification and inspection shall be done in accordance 
with the following service bulletins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Document No.                 Pages     Revision      Date   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventum Alert Service Bulletin                                         
 (ASB) DR1/DR6-25-4.................         1-5           A   12/6/1993
Total Pages: 5.                                                         
Inventum Bilthoven-Holland (SB)                                         
 25__330............................         1-4           1   9/28/1977
Total Pages: 4.                                                         
SB 25__331..........................         1-4           1   9/28/1977
Total Pages: 4.                                                         
ASB DR1/DR6-25-5....................         1-5           A   12/6/1993
Total Pages: 5.                                                         
SB 25__340..........................         1-6         N/A    7/7/1977
Total Pages: 6.                                                         
SB 25__344..........................         1-7         N/A   1/18/1978
Total Pages: 7.                                                         
SB 25__345..........................         1-7         N/A   2/16/1978
Total Pages: 7.                                                         
SB 25__346..........................         1-7         N/A   2/16/1978
Total Pages: 7.                                                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 B/E Aerospace, Inventum Galley 
Products Division (Royal Inventum Company), P.O. Box 1152, 3430 BD 
Nieuwegin, The Netherlands. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New 
England Region,

[[Page 11529]]
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 1996.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on January 29, 1996.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5854 Filed 3-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P