[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 4, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72119-72121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30778]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lindstrand Balloons Ltd Fuel Hoses

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all aircraft (specifically balloons) that 
incorporate certain Lindstrand Balloons Ltd (Lindstrand) fuel hoses. 
This proposed AD would require you to inspect for certain batches of 
installed fuel hoses and repair any of these fuel hoses. This proposed 
AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. 
The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect and 
replace defective fuel hoses before they result in propane fuel leaks. 
Such propane fuel leaks could lead to a propane fuel fire.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before January 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD, 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 also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY 10 
8ZZ; telephone: +44 (0) 1691-671717; facsimile: +44 (0) 1691-671122. 
You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Chudy, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

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 proposed rule. 
You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date 
of the proposed 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 mailed comments, you must include a 
self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
aircraft (specifically balloons) that incorporate certain Lindstrand 
fuel hoses. The CAA reports six incidents of 3/8-inch bore fuel supply 
hoses, batch identification number FHL 38381 or FHL 40579, failing in 
service.
    The typical failure observed is of liquid fuel escaping at any 
position along the length of the hose and through the pinpricking on 
the outer surface. The leakage observed varies from small bubbles, when 
leak detection fluid is used on the surface of the hose, to visible 
jets of liquid propane.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Such 
propane fuel leaks could lead to a propane fuel fire.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? 
Lindstrand has issued Service Bulletin No. 7, Issue 1, dated July 11, 
2002.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:
--Inspecting all fuel hoses, including burner supply hoses, basket 
manifolds, and refueling hoses to detect the installation of hose batch 
FHL 38381 or FHL 40579; and
--Obtaining replacement fuel hoses and replacement instructions.
    What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued British AD Number 002-07-2002, dated 
July 12, 2002, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
balloons in the United Kingdom.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
These aircraft models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and are 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has 
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.

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

    What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; 
reviewed all available information, including the service information 
referenced above; and determined that:

[[Page 72120]]

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on type design aircraft (specifically balloons on the U.S. 
Registry) that incorporate certain Lindstrand Balloons Ltd fuel hoses;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.

Cost Impact

    How many aircraft would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 204 aircraft (specifically balloons) in the 
U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected aircraft? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed inspection:

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                                                                                Total cost
               Labor cost                              Parts cost                  per       Total cost on U.S.
                                                                                 aircraft         operators
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1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60.........  Not applicable.....................         $60.  $60 x 204 = $12,240.
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that may need such replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost
             Labor cost                    Parts cost          per hose
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1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60 per  Replacement hoses              $60.
 hose.                                provided by
                                      manufacturer.
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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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Lindstrand Balloons Ltd: Docket No. 2002-CE-50-AD.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects any 
aircraft (specifically balloons), certificated in any category, that 
incorporate Lindstrand 3/8-inch bore hoses from either hose batches 
FHL 38381 or FHL 40579.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the aircraft identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and replace defective fuel hoses 
before they result in propane fuel leaks. Such propane fuel leaks 
could lead to a propane fuel fire.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

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                             Actions                                               Compliance                                  Procedures
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(1) Inspect all \3/8\-inch bore hoses used within the aircraft,    Within 5 hours time-in-service after the    In accordance with Linstrand Balloons Ltd
 including burner supply hoses, basket manifolds, and refueling     effective date of this AD.                  Service Bulletin No. 7, Issue 1, dated
 goses to determine if the hose is from either defective hose                                                   July 11, 2002.
 batch FHL 38381 or FHL 40579.
(2) If any hose from the defective hose batch is found during the  Prior to further flight after the           Obtain this repair scheme through the FAA
 inspection:                                                        inspection in which the hose from the       at the address specified in paragraph
(i) Obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the FAA    defective hose batch is found.              (f) of this AD.
 at the address specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
(ii) Incorporate this repair scheme.
(3) Do not install Lindstrand \3/8\-inch bore fuel hoses from      As of the effective date of this AD.        Not applicable.
 either hose batch FHL 38381 or FHL 40579, unless repaired per
 paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of this AD.
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[[Page 72121]]

    (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 Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Standards Office Manager.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each aircraft (specifically balloons) 
with a Lindstrand Balloons Ltd \3/8\-inch fuel hose 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 aircraft (specifically balloons) 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 Roger Chudy, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4140; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY 10 
8ZZ; telephone: +44 (0) 1691-671717; facsimile: +44 (0) 1691-671122. 
You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD Number 
002-07-2002, dated July 12, 2002.



    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 26, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-30778 Filed 12-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P