[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34330-34332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14286]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2134; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; B/E Aerospace Protective Breathing 
Equipment Part Number 119003-11

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 
certain B/E Aerospace protective breathing equipment (PBE) that is 
installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a 
compromise in the vacuum seal of the pouch that contains the PBE. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting the PBE to determine if the pouch 
has the proper vacuum seal. We are proposing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact B/E 
Aerospace, Inc., Commercial Aircraft Products Group, 10800 Pflumm Road, 
Lenexa, Kansas 66215; telephone: (913) 338-9800; fax: (913) 338-8419; 
Internet: www.beaerospace.com. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-2134.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2134; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Enns, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4147; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-2134; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-012-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 because of 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

    We received a report of B/E Aerospace protective breathing 
equipment (PBE), part number 119003-11, catching fire when activated by 
a crew member during taxi aboard an Emirates Airline airplane.
    Following the PBE fire event and during the initial investigation, 
it was determined that a number of pouches containing the PBE that were 
installed in various airplanes had a compromised vacuum seal. A 
compromised seal in the pouch of a PBE results in degradation and 
possible contamination of the chemicals that provide oxygen during use.

[[Page 34331]]

    The PBE utilizes an igniter candle to provide the user with initial 
oxygen. This candle uses a chemical reaction that produces high heat 
and a high flow of oxygen. A compromised vacuum seal can lead to 
degradation or contamination of the candle materials. This possible 
contamination of the candle can change the chemical reaction leading to 
a breach of the filter in the candle assembly allowing hot particles 
from the igniter candle to enter the oxygen rich environment of the PBE 
hood. The compromised seal also allows moisture to be drawn into the 
pouch containing the PBE, which affects the chemical composition of the 
breathing canister so that it may not meet its performance 
requirements.
    The cause of the compromised vacuum seal of the pouch containing 
the PBE is unknown at this time. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in the PBE not providing the necessary oxygen when needed. 
Also, the degradation of the chemicals within the igniter candle could 
increase the likelihood of hot particles to be ejected into the oxygen 
rich environment and result in fire in the PBE hood.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin No. 119003-35-011, Rev. 
000, dated February 4, 2015. The B/E Aerospace service bulletin 
describes procedures for inspecting the PBE to determine if the vacuum 
seal of the pouch containing the PBE is compromised. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service bulletin applies to all PBE with part number 119003-11 
and part number 119003-21. We have determined that this proposed AD 
would apply only to a PBE with part number 119003-11.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. The FAA investigation 
is ongoing. If final termination action is later identified, we may 
consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 9,000 products installed 
on airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                  Labor cost          Parts cost        Cost per product        operators
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Inspecting the pouch containing  .5 work-hour x $85  Not applicable....  $42.50 per           $382,500 per
 the PBE for proper vacuum seal.  per hour = $42.50                       inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                  per inspection
                                  cycle.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need 
this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                      Cost per
                    Action                                   Labor cost                Parts cost      product
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Replace the PBE that has a compromised vacuum  .5 work-hour x $85 per hour = $42.50.       $1,510     $1,552.50
 sealed pouch.
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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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

[[Page 34332]]

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

B/E Aerospace: Docket No. FAA-2015-2134; Directorate Identifier 
2015-CE-012-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 31, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to B/E Aerospace Protective Breathing Equipment 
(PBE), part number 119003-11, that is installed on airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 35; Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of a compromise in the vacuum 
seal of the pouch that contains the PBE. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Unless already done, comply with paragraphs (g) through (h) of 
this AD.

(g) Inspection

    (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, while 
still in the stowage box, physically inspect the PBE pouch to 
determine if it has an intact vacuum seal. Repetitively thereafter, 
inspect every 12 months. Do these inspections following paragraph 
III.A.1. of the Accomplishment Instructions in B/E Aerospace Service 
Bulletin No. 119003-35-011. Rev. 000, dated February 4, 2015.
    (2) Within 36 months after the first inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, remove the PBE pouch from the stowage 
box and physically inspect the PBE pouch to determine if it has an 
intact vacuum seal. Repetitively thereafter, inspect every 36 
months. Do these inspections following paragraph III.A.2. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin No. 
119003-35-011, Rev. 000, dated February 4, 2015.

(h) Replacement

    If a PBE pouch is found that does not have an intact vacuum seal 
during any inspection required in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of 
this AD, before further flight, replace the PBE with an FAA-approved 
PBE contained in a vacuum sealed pouch. After the replacement, 
continue with the inspections required in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact David Enns, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4147; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact B/E 
Aerospace, Inc., 10800 Pflumm Road, Commercial Aircraft Products 
Group, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; telephone: (913) 338-9800; fax: (913) 
338-8419; Internet: www.beaerospace.com. You may review this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 5, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14286 Filed 6-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P