[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81709-81711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27626]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9392; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-003-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems

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 
Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems fusible plugs installed on emergency 
evacuation equipment for various transport category airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating that affected fusible 
plugs activated (vented gas) below the rated temperature. This proposed 
AD would require an inspection of the fusible plugs to determine the 
part number, and lot number and replacement of all affected fusible 
plugs. We are proposing this AD to prevent the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 2017.

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.

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-2016-
9392; 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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7318; fax: 516-794-5531.

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-2016-9392; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-003-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 have received reports indicating that certain fusible plugs 
installed on emergency evacuation equipment activated below the rated 
temperature. Fusible plugs are safety devices that vent air from 
charged inflation systems if the inflation systems encounter excessive 
temperatures. Tests conducted on affected fusible plugs revealed that 
the plugs activated (vented gas) between 130 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit 
([ordm]F) instead of the rated temperature of 174 [deg]F. The affected 
fusible plugs shipped from Air Cruisers, which is a component of Zodiac 
Aero Evacuation Systems, from October 1, 2008, through

[[Page 81710]]

October 1, 2009, and have part number (P/N) B13984-3, stamped with Lot 
PA-21 or PA-22. Currently there are 158 affected fusible plugs that 
have not been accounted for. Affected fusible plugs could be installed 
on emergency evacuation equipment, which includes all inflation valves, 
reservoir and valve assemblies, and evacuation slides, slides/rafts and 
liferafts. Activation of the fusible plugs vents all of the gas from 
the inflation system reservoir (inflation bottle), rendering the 
evacuation system unusable.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Air Cruisers Service Information Letter 25-246, Rev. 
No. 1, dated February 21, 2014. The service information provides 
information regarding affected fusible plugs and provides guidance on 
fusible plug replacement.

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 an inspection of the fusible plugs 
to determine the part number and lot number, and replacement of all 
affected fusible plugs. This proposed AD also would require, for 
affected part and lot numbers only, sending the part number 
identification results to Air Cruisers.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3,384 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per      Cost on  U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determining part number...........  1 work-hour x $85 per                  $0              $85         $287,640
                                     hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 aircraft that might need 
these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost                   Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacing...........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour  Not available...............               $85
                                       = $85.
Reporting...........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour  $0..........................                85
                                       = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all available costs in our 
cost estimate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 81711]]

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):

Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems: Docket No. FAA-2016-9392; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-003-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 3, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Zodiac Aero Evacuation Systems fusible plugs 
installed on emergency evacuation equipment. These affected fusible 
plugs might be installed on the emergency evacuation equipment of 
various transport airplanes, certificated in any category, 
including, but not limited to, the airplanes of manufacturers 
specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this 
AD.
    (1) Airbus.
    (2) The Boeing Company.
    (3) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited.
    (4) Fokker Services B.V.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that affected fusible 
plugs activated (vented gas) below the rated temperature. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct fusible plugs that might 
activate below the rated temperature, which renders the evacuation 
system unusable.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Fusible Plug Identification, and Replacement

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Do an 
inspection to determine the part number and lot number of the 
fusible plugs installed in the emergency evacuation equipment 
(including all inflation valves, reservoir and valve assemblies, and 
evacuation slides, slides/rafts and liferafts). A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable to make this determination if the 
part number and lot number of the fusible plugs can be conclusively 
determined from that review. If any fusible plug has part number (P/
N) B13984-3, stamped with Lot PA-21 or PA-22: Before further flight, 
replace the fusible plug with a new part.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Guidance can be found in 
the applicable component maintenance manual for the replacement. In 
addition, Air Cruisers Service Information Letter 25-246, Rev. No. 
1, dated February 21, 2014, provides information regarding affected 
fusible plugs and guidance on the replacement.

(h) Reporting

    If any fusible plug having P/N B13984-3, stamped with Lot PA-21 
or PA-22, is identified during the inspection required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD: At the time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) 
of this AD, report the finding to Air Cruisers, Attention Kelly 
Schmidt, 1747 State Route 34, Wall Township, NJ 07727-3935; fax: 
732-681-9163; email: [email protected]. Include the 
quantity of fusible plugs scrapped and the name of the company or 
service center.
    (1) If any affected fusible plug was identified on or after the 
effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after 
the part number identification.
    (2) If any affected fusible plug was identified before the 
effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after 
the effective date of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane any fusible plug having P/N B13984-3, stamped with Lot 
PA-21 or PA-22.

(j) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
ANE-170, 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 ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, 
Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7300; fax: 
516-794-5531.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Cesar Gomez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, 
FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone: 516-228-7318; fax: 516-794-5531.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27626 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P