[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59967-59969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20821]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0075; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-171-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC,
-120QC, and -120RT Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
It has been found that former revisions of the Maintenance
Review Board Report (MRBR) of the EMB-120( ) aircraft do not fully
comply with some Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations
(CDCCL) and Fuel System Limitations (FSL). These limitations are
necessary to preclude ignition sources in the fuel system, as
required by RBHA-E88/SFAR-88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation
No. 88).
* * * * * * *
The potential of ignition sources, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss
of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that are
intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 23,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0075;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-171-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov; including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for Brazil, has issued Brazilian
Airworthiness Directive 2007-05-02, effective June 6, 2007 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to
[[Page 59968]]
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
It has been found that former revisions of the Maintenance
Review Board Report (MRBR) of the EMB-120( ) aircraft do not fully
comply with some Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations
(CDCCL) and Fuel System Limitations (FSL). These limitations are
necessary to preclude ignition sources in the fuel system, as
required by RBHA-E88/SFAR-88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation
No. 88).
Since this condition affects flight safety, a corrective action
is required. Thus, sufficient reason exists to request compliance
with this AD in the indicated time limit.
The potential of ignition sources, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss
of the airplane. The corrective action is revising the Airworthiness
Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to
incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. You may obtain
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary
to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: Single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
EMBRAER has issued Temporary Revision No. 22-1 of the EMB-120
Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), dated November 18, 2005; and
Section 6, Part D, Critical Design Configuration Control Limitation
(CDCCL) of the MRBR, dated March 22, 2005. The actions described in
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 109 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $8,720, or $80 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
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.
[[Page 59969]]
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA-
2007-0075; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-171-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 23, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Embraer Model EMB-120, -120ER, -
120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according
to paragraph (g) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued operational safety of the airplane. The FAA has
provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC)
25-1529-1.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
It has been found that former revisions of the Maintenance
Review Board Report (MRBR) of the EMB-120( ) aircraft do not fully
comply with some Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations
(CDCCL) and Fuel System Limitations (FSL). These limitations are
necessary to preclude ignition sources in the fuel system, as
required by RBHA-E88/SFAR-88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation
No. 88).
Since this condition affects flight safety, a corrective action
is required. Thus, sufficient reason exists to request compliance
with this AD in the indicated time limit.
The potential of ignition sources, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent
loss of the airplane. The corrective action is revising the
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 1 month after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Tasks 15 to 18 of Section 6--
``Part E--Fuel Systems Limitations,'' Temporary Revision No. 22-1 of
the EMB-120 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), dated November
18, 2005. For all tasks identified in the MRBR, the initial
compliance times start from the later of the times specified in
paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, and the repetitive
inspections must be accomplished thereafter at the interval
specified in the MRBR, except as provided by paragraph (f)(3) of
this AD.
(i) The effective date of this AD.
(ii) The date of issuance of the original Brazilian standard
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original
Brazilian export certificate of airworthiness.
(2) Within 1 month after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to
incorporate the CDCCLs to include items 1) and 2) of Section 6--
``Part D--Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations,'' of
the EMB-120 MRBR, dated March 22, 2005.
(3) For the functional checks and detailed visual inspections,
Tasks 15 to 18 of Section 6--``Part E--Fuel Systems Limitations,''
Temporary Revision No. 22-1 of the EMB-120 Maintenance Review Board
Report (MRBR), dated November 18, 2005: The initial compliance time
is within 4,000 flight hours or 48 months after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first. Thereafter those tasks must be
accomplished at the repetitive interval specified in ``Part E--Fuel
Systems Limitations,'' Temporary Revision No. 22-1 of the EMB-120
Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), dated November 18, 2005.
(4) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD: After
accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2)
of this AD, no alternative inspection, inspection intervals, or
CDCCLs may be used.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2007-05-02,
effective June 6, 2007, EMBRAER Temporary Revision No. 22-1 of the
EMB-120 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR), dated November 18,
2005, and Section 6, ``Part D, Critical Design Configuration Control
Limitations,'' of the EMB-120 MRBR, dated March 22, 2005, for
related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20821 Filed 10-22-07; 8:45 am]
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