Airworthiness Directives; Brackett Aircraft Company, Brackett Single Screen Air Filter

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78968-78970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32510]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-38-AD; Amendment 39-12988; AD 2002-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Brackett Aircraft Company, Brackett 
Single Screen Air Filter

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Brackett Aircraft Company (Brackett) single screen air 
filter assemblies that are installed on airplanes. This AD requires you 
to check the Brackett single screen air filter assembly for correct 
installation. This AD also requires you to install an additional 
screen, replace the Brackett single screen air filter assembly with a 
double screen filter, or replace with another approved design filter at 
a specified time. This AD is the result of several reports of service 
difficulties of incorrect installation of the air filters. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct incorrect 
installation of the air filter, which could result in failure of the 
air filter. Such failure could lead to engine/turbocharger ingestion of 
the air filter foam element.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Brackett Aircraft Company, 7052 Government Way, Kingman, Arizona 
86401; telephone: (928) 757-4009; facsimile: (928) 757-4433. You may 
view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2002-CE-38-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Pesuit, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard; 
telephone: (562) 627-5251; facsimile: (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA has received several reports of service difficulties of 
incorrect installation of the Brackett single screen air filters on 
Cessna 206 and 210 series airplanes that incorporate Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) No. SA71GL. A safety recommendation was issued by FAA 
that recommended corrective action as a result of a fatal accident 
involving a Cessna Model T210N airplane.
    Investigation of this accident revealed that the air filter 
assembly had been installed with the screen incorrectly positioned on 
the upstream side of the frame. Incorrect installation of the air 
filter assembly resulted in portions of the air filter foam element 
entering the turbocharger compressor inlet.
    The NTSB determined this to be the cause of the reported power 
loss. The manufacturer has developed a double screen air filter that 
precludes incorrect air filter installation.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    If not detected and corrected, the air filter foam element could be 
ingested into the engine/turbocharger compressor. This condition could 
lead to loss of power during a critical phase of flight.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to 
Brackett single screen air filter assemblies that are installed on 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 25, 2002 (67 FR 65517). 
The NPRM proposed to require you to visually or by touch check the 
Brackett single screen air filter assembly for correct installation. 
This proposed AD would also require you to add a second screen, replace 
the Brackett single screen air filter with a double screen filter, or 
replace with another approved design filter at a specified time.

Was the Public Invited to Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 2,000 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacements:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Total cost per
             Labor cost                 Parts cost       airplane            Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 = $60..............             $44            $104  $104 x 2,000 = $208,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

[[Page 78969]]

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-26-03 Brackett Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12988; Docket No. 
2002-CE-38-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Brackett single screen air filter assemblies, part number BA-2410, 
that are installed on, but not limited to, the following aircraft 
that are certificated in any category and incorporate Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) No. SA71GL:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Cessna Model                          Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TP206A, TP206B, TP206C, TP206D, TP206E,     All serial numbers.
 TU206A, TU206B, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E,
 TU206F, TU206G and T207A.
210.......................................  All equipped with air
                                             conditioning.
T210F, T210G, T210H, T210J, T210K, T210L,   All serial numbers.
 T210M, T210N, 210R, and T210R.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
an aircraft equipped with one of the affected single screen air 
filters must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct incorrect installation of 
the air filter, which could result in failure of the air filter. 
Such failure could lead to engine/turbocharger ingestion of the air 
filter foam element.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions                 Compliance           Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually or by touch check  Within the next    The owner/operator
 the single screen Brackett      25 hours time in   holding at least a
 air filter assembly (part       service (TIS)      private pilot
 number (P/N) BA-2410) to        after February     certificate as
 ensure that it is installed     18, 2003 (the      authorized by
 with the screen on the down     effective date     section 43.7 of the
 stream side of the filter       of this AD).       Federal Aviation
 assembly. Accomplish the                           Regulations (14 CFR
 following:                                         43.7) may accomplish
(i) Remove both upper engine                        the visual or touch
 cowlings.                                          check of this AD.
(ii) Open the alternate air                         Make an entry into
 access door located on the                         the aircraft records
 right side of the engine                           showing compliance
 compartment by applying                            with these portions
 pressure.                                          of the AD in
(iii) While viewing through                         accordance with
 the alternate air access                           section 43.9 of the
 door, use an inspection                            Federal Aviation
 mirror and light to check                          Regulations (14 CFR
 that the screen is installed                       43.9).
 on the down stream side of
 the filter assembly; OR.
(iv) Partially insert a hand
 into the open alternate air
 access door and touch the
 back of the filter element,
 feeling for the presence of
 the screen or absence of the
 screen.
(2) Verify that the BA-2410     If the air filter  In accordance with
 air filter assembly has         assembly is        the applicable
 screens on both sides.          installed          airplane maintenance
 Install an additional screen    incorrectly:       instructions. The
 P/N 2404-00 on the BA-2410      Prior to further   owner/operator may
 air filter assembly if it is    flight after the   not accomplish the
 not already equipped with       visual or by       replacement/
 screens on both sides.          touch check        modification, unless
 Alternatively, replace the      required by        he/she holds the
 single screen Brackett air      paragraph (d)(1)   proper mechanic
 filter assembly, P/N BA-2410,   of this AD. If     authorization.
 with an FAA-approved filter     the air filter
 that is not Brackett P/N BA-    is installed
 2410.                           correctly:
                                 Within the next
                                 100 hours TIS
                                 after February
                                 18, 2003 (the
                                 effective date
                                 of this AD).
(3) You may accomplish the      Within the next    In accordance with
 replacement required by this    25 hours TIS       the applicable or
 AD instead of the check         after February     STC supplied
 specified in paragraph (d)(1)   18, 2003 (the      maintenance
 of this AD.                     effective date     instructions.
                                 of this AD).
(4) Do not install, on any      As of February     Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, any single   18, 2003 (the
 screen Brackett air filter      effective date
 assembly, P/N BA-2410.          of this AD).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Corrective action, if required, must be accomplished by 
appropriately rated maintenance personnel. The owner/operator may 
not accomplish the replacement/modification, unless he/she holds the 
proper mechanic authorization.


    Note 2: The compliance time of 100 hours TIS for replacement is 
based on FAA Safety Recommendation, Control Number 02.122,

[[Page 78970]]

that recommends modifying to a dual screen configuration at 100 
hours TIS.

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 3: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roger Pesuit, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard; telephone: (562) 627-5251; facsimile: (562) 
627-5210.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Brackett Aircraft Company, 7052 Government Way, Kingman, Arizona 
86401; telephone: (928) 757-4009; facsimile: (928) 757-4433. You may 
view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on February 18, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 18, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32510 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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