AD 96-10-05

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20125-20127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD; Amendment 39-9610; AD 96-10-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. 
Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (Maule) Models M-
4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that have Dual Exhaust System 5230F 
installed. This action requires relocating the gascolator and electric 
fuel pump away from the dual exhaust system. The Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) recently became aware that, with these dual 
exhaust systems installed on the affected airplanes, the left-hand 
exhaust stack is routed almost directly below the fuel gascolator. The 
close proximity of the flammable fuel to the exhaust system presents an 
unsafe condition and violates current regulations. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent an airplane engine fire 
caused by the close proximity of the fuel gascolator and electric fuel 
pump to the exhaust system.

DATES: Effective June 21, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 21, 1996.


[[Page 20126]]


ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., Lake Maule, Route 5, Box 318, 
Moultrie, Georgia 31768; telephone (912) 985-2045; facsimile (912) 890-
2402. This information may also be examined at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-
22-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Juanita Craft-Lloyd, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (404) 305-7373; facsimile (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Maule Models M-4-210 and M-4-210C airplanes that have Dual Exhaust 
System 5230F installed was published in the Federal Register on June 
12, 1995 (60 FR 35877). The action proposed to require relocating the 
gascolator and electric fuel pump. Accomplishment of the proposed 
action would be in accordance with Maule Service Bulletin No. 10, dated 
September 16, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 125 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $158 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $79,750. This figure is based on the 
assumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has 
relocated the gascolator and electric fuel pump.
    Maule has informed the FAA that enough parts have been distributed 
to accomplish the relocation on two of the affected airplanes. Assuming 
that each owner/operator that received parts has accomplished the 
relocation, the cost impact upon the public is reduced by $1,276 from 
$79,750 to $78,474.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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 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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-10-05  Maule Aerospace Technologies, Inc.: Amendment 39-9610; 
Docket No. 95-CE-22-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category, that have Dual Exhaust System 5230F 
installed:

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               Model                           Serial numbers           
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M-4-210                             1001 through 1045.                  
M-4-210C                            1001C through 1080C.                
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    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane 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 airplanes 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 (c) 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: Required within the next 50 hours time-in- 
service after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.

    To prevent an airplane engine fire caused by the close proximity 
of the fuel gascolator and electric fuel pump to the exhaust system, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Relocate the gascolator and fuel pump from above the air 
egress to the left-side of the airplane in accordance with Maule 
Service Bulletin No. 10, dated September 16, 1994.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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 accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College 
Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

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

    (d) The relocation required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Maule Service Bulletin No. 10, dated September 16, 
1994. 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 Maule Aerospace Technology, 
Inc., Lake Maule, Route 5, Box 318, Moultrie, Georgia 31768. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-9610) becomes effective on June 21, 1996.


[[Page 20127]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 30, 1996.
Bobby W. Sexton,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11167 Filed 5-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U