Airworthiness Directives; Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61334-61336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26833]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD; Amendment 39-13348; AD 2003-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Models 
PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Aerostar Aircraft Corporation (Aerostar) Models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, 
PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes that incorporate 
supplemental type certificate (STC) SA1608NM (Machen Inc. Kit No. 76-1 
Auxiliary Fuel Tank). This AD requires you to repetitively inspect all 
auxiliary fuel transfer pumps for leaks, seeping, or any sign of 
staining. This AD also requires you to replace any pump found with 
leaks, seeping, and any sign of staining. This AD is the result of 
reports of fuel leaking from the fuel transfer pumps installed below 
the auxiliary fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
leaks in the auxiliary fuel transfer pumps, which could result in fire 
or explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a condition could 
result in loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 17, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of 
November 17, 2003.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by December 23, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this AD:
    [sbull] By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    [sbull] By fax: (816) 329-3771.
    [sbull] By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No.

[[Page 61335]]

2003-CE-44-AD'' in the subject line. If you send comments 
electronically as attached electronic files, the files must be 
formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
Machen Inc., 10555 Airport Drive, Hayden Lake, Idaho 83835; telephone: 
(208) 762-7814; facsimile: (208) 762-8349.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Simonson, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055; telephone: (425) 917-6507; facsimile: (425) 
917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? We have received reports of fuel 
leaks in the fuel transfer pumps on the auxiliary fuel tank installed 
in the baggage compartment per STC SA1608NM on Aerostar Models PA-60-
600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes. The 
leaks were discovered through normal maintenance.
    The problem is the result of fuel seeping through the wire 
insulation on the auxiliary fuel tank transfer pump and running out 
through the knife splice connection.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This 
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in fire or 
explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a condition could 
result of loss of the airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Machen 
Inc. has issued Service Bulletin SB76-009, dated August 1, 2003.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Repetitively inspecting the auxiliary fuel tank transfer pumps for 
leaks, seeping, and any sign of staining; and
--Replacing any pump found with leaks, seeping, and any sign of 
staining.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information 
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of this same type design.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other Aerostar Models PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, 
PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes of the same type design with STC 
SA1608NM installed, this AD is being issued to detect and correct leaks 
in the auxiliary fuel transfer pumps, which could result in fire or 
explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a condition could 
result of loss of the airplane.
    What does this AD require? This AD requires you to incorporate the 
actions in the previously-referenced service bulletin.
    In preparation of this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to obtain technical information and information on 
operational and economic impacts. We did not receive any information 
through these contacts. If received, we would have included, in the 
rulemaking docket, a discussion of any information that may have 
influenced this action.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes 
material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and 
alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was 
included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 
CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Comments Invited

    Will I have the opportunity to comment prior to the issuance of the 
rule? This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD'' 
in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge 
receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your 
postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on 
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of 
the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts 
us through a nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place 
the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by 
the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-44-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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):

2003-22-01 Aerostar Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-13348; Docket 
No. 2003-CE-44-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on November 17, 2003.

Are Any Other ADs Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

[[Page 61336]]

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following airplane models that are:
    (1) Modified to incorporate supplemental type certificate (STC) 
SA1608NM (Machen Inc. Kit No. 76-1, Auxiliary Fuel Tank); and
    (2) certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Model                             Serial  Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-60-600....................................  All.
PA-60-601....................................  All.
PA-60-601P...................................  All.
PA-60-602P...................................  All.
PA-60-700P...................................  All.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of reports of fuel leaking from the 
fuel transfer pumps. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
leaks in the auxiliary fuel transfer pumps, which could result in 
fire or explosion in the cargo/passenger compartment. Such a 
condition could result of loss of the airplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
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(1) Inspect all auxiliary fuel    Within the next 10  In accordance with
 tank transfer pumps for           hours time-in-      Machen Inc.
 leaking, seeping, and any signs   service (TIS)       Service Bulletin
 of staining.                      after November      SB 76-009, dated
                                   17, 2003 (the       August 1, 2003.
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD).
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 50 hours
                                   TIS.
(2) Replace any auxiliary fuel    Prior to further    In accordance with
 transfer pump that is leaking,    flight after any    Machen Inc.
 seeping, or has any signs of      inspection          Service Bulletin
 staining.                         required in         SB 76-009, dated
                                   paragraph (e)(1)    August 1, 2003.
                                   of this AD in
                                   which leaking,
                                   seeping, or any
                                   signs of staining
                                   is found.
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What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA. 
For information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Richard Simonson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, 
Washington 98055; telephone: (425) 917-6507; facsimile: (425) 917-
6590.

Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Machen Inc. 
Service Bulletin SB 76-009, dated August 1, 2003. The Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You may get a copy from Machen Inc., 10555 Airport Drive, Hayden 
Lake, Idaho 83835; telephone: (208) 762-7814; facsimile: (208) 762-
8349. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26833 Filed 10-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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