Airworthiness Directives; Titeflex Corporation

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Titeflex Corporation high-pressure and medium-pressure hoses. This proposal would require inspecting certain Titeflex hoses for a date of manufacture, and if necessary, replacing the hose with a serviceable part. This proposal is prompted by reports of hoses that failed to meet the fire test requirements during laboratory testing. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a hose when exposed to fire.

DATES:

Comments must be received by August 2, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-57-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected, by appointment, at this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: “9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov”. Comments sent via the Internet must contain the docket number in the subject line.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Titeflex Corporation, 603 Hendee Street, P.O. Box 90054, Springfield, MA 01139, Tel. (413) 271-8244. This information may be examined, by appointment, at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Terry Fahr, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; telephone (781) 238-7155; fax (781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket Number 2000-NE-57-AD.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NE-57-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

Titeflex Corporation has notified the FAA of high- and medium-pressure hoses failing to meet the fire test requirements of AS1072 for their Teflon (PTFE) hoses. The failures were first encountered during a new hose qualification test. All of the failures occurred during laboratory testing. The causes of those failures have been determined to be the result of the firesleeves shrinking away from the end fittings during the flame test due to incorrect clamping force on the metal bands. No failures in the field have been reported. The group of suspect hoses consists of high- and medium-pressure hoses. The suspect high-pressure hoses were fabricated at the Springfield, MA facility from January 1996 through June 2000. The suspect medium-pressure hoses were fabricated at the Springfield, MA facility from February 2000 through May 2000. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of a hose when exposed to fire.

Manufacturer's Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Titeflex Corporation Service Bulletin (SB) 73-2, dated November 27, 2000, that provides part numbers (P/N's) of the suspect hoses, and dates of manufacture of the hoses.

FAA's Determination of Compliance Period

The 48 month compliance period was established based on allowing sufficient time for operators to incorporate hose replacement within their maintenance schedules, ensuring availability of parts from Titeflex, and the risk analysis indicating this to be an acceptable compliance period.

FAA's Determination of an Unsafe Condition and Proposed Actions

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other hoses of the same type design, the proposed AD would require inspection of the applicable P/N hoses to determine where they were fabricated and the date on which they were fabricated. If the hose is part of the suspect hose population, this proposal would require replacing the hose within 48 months after the effective date of this AD. The actions would be required to be done in accordance with the service bulletin described previously. The technical requirements of this proposed AD were coordinated with Transport Airplane Directorate.

Economic Analysis

The FAA estimates that 2,500 hoses installed on airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 5 work hours per product to do the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,000 per product. Based on these figures, the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,250,000.

Regulatory Analysis

This proposed rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this proposed rule.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) 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 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
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to 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.