[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44406-44408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22147]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-71-AD; Amendment 39-10103; AD 97-16-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; RAPCO, Inc. Filter, Part Numbers RA-
1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, and RA-1J4-7 From Lot Numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-16-10, which was sent
previously to owners of airplanes known to have RAPCO, Inc. (RAPCO) in-
line pressure filters installed. This AD requires removing RAPCO
filters with part numbers (P/N) RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, and RA-1J4-7 that
are from Lot Numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597. Recent operator reports
and the manufacturer's report of several cracked filter housings on
these RAPCO, Inc. in-line pressure filters prompted this AD. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
flight instruments during flight because of a failed in-line pressure
filter, which could cause loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective September 18, 1997, to all persons except those to
whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 97-16-10,
issued July 31, 1997, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 17, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-71-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago
Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon, Des Plaines, Illinois
60018, telephone (847) 294-7564; facsimile (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 31, 1997, the FAA issued priority letter AD 97-16-10, which
applies to certain RAPCO in-line pressure filters that may be installed
on, but not limited to, the following airplanes:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna).......... 310R and T310R.
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) E33A, F33A, V35A, V35B, 36,
(formerly known as Beech Aircraft A36, 58, 65-B80, 70, 95-
Corporation). B55, D55, E55.
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper)...... PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-
31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-
34-200T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This priority letter AD results from recent operator reports and
the manufacturer's report of several cracked filter housings on RAPCO,
Inc. in-line pressure filters produced from lot numbers 05597, 07797,
and 12597 with part numbers (P/N) RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, and RA-1J4-7.
This product is an in-line pressure filter used on single and twin-
engine airplanes with pressure-driven primary and standby flight
instruments (attitude gyros). The filters are designed to remove the
carbon particles between the vacuum pump outlet and the instrument
pressure inlet. Failure of this filter results in failure of the flight
instruments, which could cause loss of control of the airplane.
Further investigation has revealed that some of the plastic filter
housings have cracked during flight when exposed to high temperatures
and low humidity conditions. The failure is occurring anytime between 2
and 6 hours time-in-service (TIS). The manufacturer discovered that the
vendor of the plastic made a manufacturing change, moving the sonic
weld machine and the housings into a high humidity area. Apparently,
the sonic weld time was doubled due to a higher moisture content in the
plastic. This condition leads to brittle plastic filter housings that
crack when exposed to low humidity/high temperature ambient conditions.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
operators' flight instruments during flight.
The FAA's Determination and Explanation of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in airplanes that have RAPCO in-line pressure filters
marked with part numbers RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, or RA-1J4-7 from Lot
Numbers 05597, 07797, or 12597 installed, the FAA issued priority
letter AD 97-16-10 on July 31, 1997, to prevent failure of the flight
[[Page 44407]]
instruments during flight because of a failed in-line pressure filter,
which could cause loss of control of the airplane. The AD requires
removing the filters from service.
Compliance Time
The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a
calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because of the
diversity of the affected fleet. Therefore, to ensure that the above-
referenced condition is corrected within a reasonable period of time, a
compliance schedule based upon calendar time instead of hours TIS is
utilized.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on July 31, 1997, to all known U.S. owners/operators of
airplanes that may have certain RAPCO in-line pressure filters
installed.
These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective as to all
persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-71-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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 U.S.C. 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:
97-16-10 RAPCO, INC.: Amendment 39-10103; Docket No. 97-CE-71-AD.
Applicability: Filter Part Numbers (P/N) RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, or
RA-1J4-7 from Lot Numbers 05597, 07797, or 12597 installed on, but
not limited to, the following airplanes, certificated in any
category:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna).......... 310R and T310R.
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) E33A, F33A, V35A, V35B, 36,
(formerly known as Beech Aircraft A36, 58, 65-B80, 70, 95-
Corporation). B55, D55, E55.
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper)...... PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-
31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-
34-200T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane with one or more of
these filters installed that is 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 (d) 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 2 days after the effective date of
this AD or prior to further flight, whichever occurs later, unless
already accomplished, except to those operators receiving this
action by priority letter issued July 31, 1997, which made these
actions effective immediately upon receipt.
To prevent failure of the flight instruments during flight
because of a failed in-line pressure filter, which could cause loss
of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Remove any filter with an applicable part number and lot
number and replace with an FAA-approved filter that incorporates a
part number (P/N) and lot number not covered by this AD.
Note 2: RAPCO, Inc. distributed a news letter entitled RAPCO,
Inc Reporter, dated January 1, 1995, Issue 6, that discusses the
care and maintenance of the in-line filters and hoses to prevent
damage.
(b) Upon the effective date of this AD, no person may equip an
aircraft with any RAPCO filters marked with P/N RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6,
or RA-1J4-7 that are from Lot Numbers 05597, 07797, or 12597.
Note 3: Production of the affected filters has ceased. The
affected lots were produced
[[Page 44408]]
in February 1997, and a check of the aircraft records will give a
good indication as to whether these filters have been installed on
an aircraft.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued for daytime visual
flight rules (VFR) flight only, 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 to accomplish the
requirement of this AD.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300
E. Devon, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft
Certification Office.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.
(e) Information related to this AD may be inspected at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) This amendment (39-10103) becomes effective on September 18,
1997, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made
immediately effective by priority letter AD 97-16-10, issued July
31, 1997, which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22147 Filed 8-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U