[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68024-68026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28113]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-57-AD; Amendment 39-12938; AD 2002-22-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Titeflex Corporation

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to certain Titeflex Corporation high-pressure and medium-
pressure hoses. This amendment requires inspecting certain Titeflex 
hoses for a date of manufacture, and if necessary, replacing the hose 
with a serviceable part. This amendment is prompted by reports of hoses 
that failed to meet the fire test requirements during laboratory 
testing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of a hose when exposed to fire.

DATES: Effective December 13, 2002. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of December 13, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Titeflex Corporation, 603 Hendee

[[Page 68025]]

Street, P.O. Box 90054, Springfield, MA 01139; telephone (413) 271-
8244. This information may be examined, by appointment, at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the 
Regional 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 
(781) 238-7155; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to certain Titeflex Corporation high-pressure and medium-
pressure hoses was published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2002 
(67 FR 38212). That action proposed to require inspecting certain 
Titeflex hoses for a date of manufacture, and if necessary, replacing 
the hose with a serviceable part, in accordance with Titeflex 
Corporation service bulletin (SB) 73-2, dated November 27, 2000.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Canadair Airplanes

    Two commenters state that the only Canadair airplane having suspect 
hoses installed is the CL-600 1A11. The commenters request that the 
final rule applicability be corrected to list only the Canadair CL-600 
1A11 airplane.
    The FAA agrees and has revised the applicability accordingly.

CFM56-5C Engine

    One commenter states that the only CFM56 engine having suspect 
hoses installed is the CFM56-5C. The commenter requests that the final 
rule applicability be corrected to list only the CFM56-5C engine.
    The FAA agrees and has revised the applicability accordingly.

Boeing Airplanes

    One commenter states that in accordance with the Titeflex 
Corporation service bulletin (SB) 73-2, the applicable Boeing airplane 
models stated in the NPRM should have been ``all Boeing models except 
737-600, 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, and 777.''
    The FAA agrees that the NPRM is in error and in addition has 
verified with Boeing Co. that the applicable Boeing models are DC-8, 
707, 727, 737-200, 737-200C, 747, 757, and 767 airplanes. Therefore, 
the final rule has been revised to list these models.
    One commenter approves of the AD as proposed.
    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 on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    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 the 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 
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, 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2002-22-12 Titeflex Corporation: Amendment 39-12938. Docket No. 
2000-NE-57-AD.

    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to certain part number (P/N) Titeflex Corporation high-pressure and 
medium-pressure hoses that were fabricated at the Titeflex 
Springfield, MA, facility from January 1996 through June 2000. These 
hoses are installed on Airbus A300, A310, A340 airplanes, Boeing 
airplane models 707, 727, 737-200, 737-200C, 747, 757, and 767, 
Bombardier CL-600 1A11, BAE Avro 146 and BAE 146, McDonnell Douglas 
Corporation DC8 series, and Cessna 650 airplanes, and General 
Electric CF6-80C and CFM-56 series, and Honeywell International 
Inc., ALF502 and LF507 series turbofan engines.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each engine 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 engines 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: Compliance with this AD is required within 48 months 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already done.
    To prevent failure of a hose when exposed to fire, do the 
following:
    (a) Perform a general visual inspection of all high-pressure and 
medium-pressure hoses, with a P/N specified in paragraph 1.A. of 
Titeflex Corporation service bulletin (SB) 73-2.
    (b) If the hose has a brown, integral firesleeve, no further 
action is required. If the hose has an orange, slip-on firesleeve, 
then inspect the metal tag for the assembly location.
    (1) If the assembly location on the metal tag is TITEFLEX/API, 
TITEFLEX/API LGB, TITEFLEX E, TITEFLEX EUROPE, or SHAC 1S353, no 
further action is required.
    (2) If the assembly location on the metal tag is TITEFLEX, 
inspect for a date and disposition as specified in the following 
Table:

[[Page 68026]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          If the hose is               And the date is                             Then
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) High-pressure.................  (A) Before January    No further action is required.
                                     1996 or after June
                                     2000.
                                    (B) January 1996      Replace hose with a serviceable part.
                                     through June 2000.
(ii) Medium-pressure..............  (A) Before February   No further action is required.
                                     2000 or after May
                                     2000.
                                    (B) February 2000     Replace hose with a serviceable part.
                                     through May 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Definition of a Serviceable Hose

    (c) For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable hose is defined 
as a hose that has an assembly location listed in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this AD, that has an integral brown firesleeve, as a high-
pressure hose that was fabricated before January 1996 or after June 
2000, and as a medium-pressure hose that was fabricated before 
February 2000 or after May 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 (ACO). Operators must submit their request through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Boston ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Boston ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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 done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated By Reference

    (f) The inspections and replacements must be done in accordance 
with Titeflex Corporation service bulletin (SB) 73-2, dated November 
27, 2000. 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 Titeflex Corporation, 
603 Hendee Street, P.O. Box 90054, Springfield, MA 01139, telephone 
(413) 271-8244. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Regional 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.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 13, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 28, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28113 Filed 11-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P