[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50578-50580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24782]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 50578]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-79-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Univair Aircraft Corporation Models 
(ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, (ERCO) 415-E, (ERCO) 415-G, 
(Forney) F-1, and (Forney) F-1A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 86-22-09, which applies to Univair Aircraft Corporation (Univair) 
Models (ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, (ERCO) 415-E, (ERCO) 
415-G, (Forney) F-1, and (Forney) F-1A airplanes. AD 86-22-09 currently 
requires you to inspect the fuel line nipple for damage and replace any 
suspect part. AD 86-22-09 resulted from reports of failures of the fuel 
line nipple caused by improper installation or incorrect alignment. 
This proposed AD would require you to accomplish the following on 
airplanes with the gascolator connected to the side of the carburetor: 
Replace any aluminum fuel line nipple with a brass or steel fuel line 
nipple, inspect for the existence of double support tubes on the 
gascolator, and install these tubes if they do not exist. The proposed 
AD would not affect those airplanes with the gascolator mounted on the 
firewall. The proposed AD is the result of incidents where the fuel 
line nipple failed on the above-referenced airplanes. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
fuel line nipple or the gascolator because of the current airplane 
design configuration (aluminum fuel line nipples or no double support 
tubes on the gascolator). Such failure could result in a lack of fuel 
to the engine with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before November 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-79AD, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any comments at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Univair Aircraft Corporation, 2500 Himalaya Road, Aurora, Colorado 
80011; telephone: (303) 375-8882; facsimile: (303) 375-8888. You may 
also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Satish Lall, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Denver Aircraft Certification Office, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, 
Denver, Colorado 80249; telephone: (303) 342-1087; facsimile: (303) 
342-1088.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view 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 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-79-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    Reports of fuel leakage due to cracked fuel line nipples on Univair 
415 series and Models F1 and F1A airplanes caused FAA to issue AD 86-
22-09, Amendment 39-5457. This AD requires you to do the following on 
Univair Models (ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, (ERCO) 415-E, 
(ERCO) 415-G, (Forney) F-1, and (Forney) F-1A airplanes:

--Inspect the fuel line nipple between the gascolator and the 
carburetor for cracks, incorrect alignment, or over torque; and
--Replace any suspect part.

    These actions are specified in Univair Service Bulletin No. 24A, 
dated August 22, 1986.

What Has Happened Since AD 86-22-09 To Initiate This Action?

    The FAA has received reports of failure of the aluminum fuel line 
nipple, part number AN911-2D, on airplanes that were in compliance with 
AD 86-22-09. In one instance, a Model (ERCO) 415-C made an emergency 
landing because the failure led to engine fuel starvation.
    AD 86-22-09 requires a one-time inspection of the part number 
AN911-2D fuel line nipple. Since 15 years have passed since issuance of 
that AD, most of the affected airplanes have had this inspection 
accomplished. If the fuel line nipple was not suspect at the time of 
inspection, then final AD compliance was obtained. In 15 years, cracks 
could develop in the aluminum fuel line nipple on these airplanes in 
compliance with AD 86-22-09.

[[Page 50579]]

    In addition, Univair Service Bulletin No. 24A, dated August 22, 
1986, also specifies replacing any aluminum fuel line nipple with a 
brass or steel fuel line nipple and installing double support tubes on 
the gascolator for those airplanes with a gascolator connected to the 
side of the carburetor. AD 86-22-09 required the fuel line nipple 
replacement only if damage was found during the one-time inspection and 
did not require installation of the double support tubes.

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

What Has FAA Decided?

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, we have 
determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Univair (ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, 
(ERCO) 415-E, (ERCO) 415-G, (Forney) F-1, and (Forney) F-1A airplanes 
of the same type design;
--The replacement and installation specified in the previously-
referenced service information should be accomplished on the referenced 
airplanes that have the gascolator connected to the side of the 
carburetor; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would supersede AD 86-22-09 with a new AD that 
would require you to accomplish the following on airplanes with the 
gascolator connected to the side of the carburetor:

--Replace any aluminum fuel line nipple with a brass or steel fuel line 
nipple; and
--Inspect for the existence of double support tubes on the gascolator 
and install these tubes if they do not exist.

    The proposed AD would not affect those airplanes with the 
gascolator mounted on the firewall.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2,500 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
replacement and installation:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                      Parts cost         Total cost per airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours at $60 per hour = $120............             $70  $190 per airplane...............        $475,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein would 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, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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, under 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
86-22-09, Amendment 39-5457, and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Univair Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 2000-CE-79-AD; Supersedes 
AD 86-22-09, Amendment 39-5457.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects all 
serial numbers of Models (ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, 
(ERCO) 415-E, (ERCO) 415-G, (Forney) F-1, and (Forney) F-1A 
airplanes that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Have the gascolator connected to the side of the carburetor. 
This AD does not affect those airplanes with the gascolator mounted 
on the firewall.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the fuel line nipple or 
the gascolator because of the current airplane design configuration 
(aluminum fuel line nipples or no double support tubes on the 
gascolator). Such failure could result in a lack of fuel to the 
engine with consequent loss of control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace any aluminum      Within the next 50    In accordance with
 fuel line nipple, part        hours time-in-        Univair Service
 number AN911-2D (or FAA-      service (TIS) after   Bulletin No. 24A,
 approved equivalent part      the effective date    dated August 22,
 number), with one made of     of this AD, unless    1986.
 brass or steel, part number   already
 AN911-02 (or FAA-approved     accomplished.
 equivalent part number.

[[Page 50580]]

 
(2) Inspect for the           Inspect within the    In accordance with
 existence of double support   next 50 hours TIS     Univair Service
 tubes on the gascolator and   after the effective   Bulletin No. 24A,
 install these tubes if they   date of this AD and   dated August 22,
 do not exist, as follows:     install the double    1986.
(i) For all affected           support tubes prior
 airplanes except for          to further flight
 (Forney) F-1 and (Forney) F-  after the
 1A airplanes, install part    inspection, unless
 numbers 48076 and 48096 (or   already
 FAA-approved equivalent       accomplished.
 part numbers) double
 support tubes; and.
(ii) For all affected
 (Forney) F-1 and (Forney) F-
 1A airplanes, install part
 numbers 48098 and 48099 (or
 FAA-approved equivalent
 part numbers) double
 support tubes.
(3) Do not install, on any    As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, an         date of this AD.
 aluminum fuel line nipple,
 part number AN911-2D (or
 FAA-approved equivalent
 part number).
(4) Do not install a          As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 gascolator on the side of     date of this AD.
 the carburetor on any
 affected airplane, unless
 the double support tubes
 specified in paragraph
 (d)(2)(i) or (d)(2)(ii) of
 this AD are installed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way?
    (1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust 
the compliance time if:
    (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (ii) The Manager, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, approves 
your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 86-22-09, which is superseded by this AD, are not approved 
as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

    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, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Satish Lall, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, 26805 East 68th 
Avenue, Room 214, Denver, Colorado 80249; telephone: (303) 342-1087; 
facsimile: (303) 342-1088.
    (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) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Univair Aircraft Corporation, 2500 Himalaya Road, Aurora, Colorado 
80011; telephone: (303) 375-8882; facsimile: (303) 375-8888. You may 
view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (i) Does this AD action affect any existing AD actions? This 
amendment supersedes AD 86-22-09, Amendment 39-5457.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 27, 2001.
Dorenda Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-24782 Filed 10-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P