[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19718-19720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9073]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-12178; AD 2001-08-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; JanAero Devices 14D11 and 23D04 Series 
Fuel Regulator and Shutoff Valves

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain JanAero Devices (JanAero) fuel regulator and shutoff 
valves used with JanAero combustion heaters that are installed on 
airplanes. This AD requires you to visually inspect and pressure test 
for leaks, and, if leaks are found, replace the fuel regulator and 
shutoff valve used with JanAero combustion heaters. This AD is the 
result of numerous reports of fuel regulator and shutoff valves leaking 
fuel. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel 
leakage in airplanes with these combustion heaters with a consequent 
hazardous fire.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 10, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of May 
10, 2001.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments 
on this rule by May 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send three copies of comments to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
JanAero Devices, P.O. Box 273, Fort Deposit, Alabama 36032; telephone: 
(334) 227-8306; facsimile: (334) 227-8596. You may read this 
information at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda M. Haynes, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 
703-6091; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD

    The FAA has received reports of numerous occurrences of JanAero 
fuel regulator and shutoff valves leaking. These fuel leakages were 
observed during routine inspections of the airplanes. The manufacturer 
has determined that the fuel leakages can occur in valves manufactured 
before November 2000. These leakages are caused by a quality control 
problem with the manufacture of these JanAero valves.
    The affected fuel regulator and shutoff valves are part of the 
JanAero B1500, B2030, B2500, B3040, B3500, B4050, or B4500 combustion 
heater configuration.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel leakage with 
a consequent hazardous fire.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject

    JanAero has issued Service Bulletin No. A-107, dated January 8, 
2001. This service bulletin includes procedures for:

--Visually inspecting the fuel regulator and shutoff valve for fuel 
leakage;
--Doing a pressure test for fuel leakage on the fuel regulator and 
shutoff valve; and
--Replacing the fuel regulator and shutoff valve, if fuel leakage is 
found.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This AD

What Has FAA Decided

    The FAA has reviewed all available information, including the 
service information referenced above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on airplanes equipped with either a JanAero B1500, B2030, 
B2500, B3040, B3500, B4050, or B4500 combustion heater;
--Any airplane with one of these combustion heater units should have 
the actions specified in the above service bulletin incorporated; and
--The FAA should take AD action to correct this unsafe condition.

What Does This AD Require

    This AD requires you to accomplish the actions previously specified 
following JanAero Devices Service Bulletin No. A-107, dated January 8, 
2001.

[[Page 19719]]

Could the Affected Fuel Regulator and Shutoff Valves Be Installed on 
Other Manufacturers' Combustion Heaters

    It is possible that the affected regulator and shutoff valves are 
installed on other manufacturers' combustion heaters. However, all of 
the reports of failed fuel regulator and shutoff valves are on 
airplanes equipped with a JanAero B-Series combustion heater. The FAA 
may consider other rulemaking if additional information prompts such 
action.

Will I Have the Opportunity To Comment Prior to the Issuance of the 
Rule

    Because the unsafe condition described in this document could 
result in a hazardous fire, FAA finds that notice and opportunity for 
public prior comment are impracticable. Therefore, good cause exists 
for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This AD

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, we invite your 
comments on the rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
send three copies of your comments to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received by the 
closing date specified above. We may change this rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of the AD I Should Pay Attention to

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may read all comments we receive 
before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We 
will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each FAA contact 
with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this AD.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998. 
That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly 
with the public. We are interested in your comments on whether the 
style of this document is clear, and any other suggestions you might 
have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You 
can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the 
plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment

    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities

    These regulations will not have a substantial direct effect 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, FAA has determined that this 
final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action

    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 (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
Reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

2001-08-01  JanAero Devices:
    Amendment 39-12178; Docket No. 2001-CE-02-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
airplanes equipped with JanAero Series 14D11 or 23D04 fuel regulator 
and shutoff valves installed with the following B-Series combustion 
heaters.
    (1) Affected B-Series combustion heater models: B1500, B2030, 
B2500, B3040, B3500, B4050, B4500.
    (2) The following is a list of airplanes where the B-Series 
combustion heater could be installed. This is not a comprehensive 
list and airplanes not on this list that have the heater installed 
through field approval or other methods are still affected by this 
AD:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Manufacturer                        Airplane model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beech.....................................  95-B55 Series, 58, 58TC,
                                             58P, 60, A60, and 76.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadair..................................  CL-215, CL-215T, and CLT-
                                             415.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cessna....................................  208, 303, 310F, 310G, 310H,
                                             310I, 310J, 310K, 310L,
                                             310M, 310N, 310O, 310P,
                                             3210C, 320D, 320E, 320F,
                                             337 Series, 340, 340A, 414,
                                             414A, 421, 421A, 421B, and
                                             421C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Piper.....................................  PA-23, PA-30, PA-31 Series,
                                             PA-34, and PA-44.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any airplane that is equipped with one of the above referenced 
JanAero combustion heaters must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent fuel leakage into the combustion 
heater, which could result in a hazardous fire.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, unless already done, you must do the following actions:

[[Page 19720]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect the      Within the next 25    Do this following
 installed fuel regulator      hours time-in-        INSTALLATION
 and shutoff valve used with   service (TIS) after   INSPECTION and
 JanAero Devices Combustion    May 10, 2001 (the     ALTERNATIVE VISUAL
 Heaters, Models B1500-        effective date of     INSPECTION
 B4500, for fuel leaks.        this AD).             procedures in
                                                     JanAero Devices
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     No. A-107, dated
                                                     January 8, 2001.
(2) Pressure test the fuel    Within the next 25    Do the following
 regulator and shutoff valve   hours time-in-        PRESSURE TEST FOR
 for leakage.                  service (TIS) after   LEAKAGE procedures
                               May 10, 2001 (the     in JanAero Devices
                               effective date of     Service Bulletin
                               this AD) and after    No. A-107, dated
                               the inspection in     January 8, 2001.
                               paragraph (d)(1) of
                               this AD.
(3) If fuel leaks are found,  Before further        Do the following
 replace with a new valve      flight after the      ALTERNATIVE VISUAL
 with a manufacture date       inspection in         INSPECTION
 code of 11/00 or later.       paragraph (d)(1)      procedures in
                               and the pressure      JanAero Devices
                               test in paragraph     Service Bulletin
                               (d)(2) of this AD.    No. A-107, dated
                                                     January 8, 2001.
(4) Do not install any fuel   Not Applicable......  Not Applicable.
 regulator and shutoff valve
 with a manufacture date
 code before 11/00.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office approves 
your alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specify 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Linda M. Haynes, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One 
Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 
30349; telephone: (770) 703-6091; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done following 
JanAero Devices Service Bulletin No. A-107, dated January 8, 2001. 
The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from JanAero Devices, P.O. Box 273, Fort Deposit, Alabama 
36032. You can look at copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on May 10, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 5, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9073 Filed 4-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P