Discussion
Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?
Reports of fuel leakage due to cracked fuel line nipples on Univair 415 series and Models F1 and F1A airplanes caused FAA to issue AD 86-22-09, Amendment 39-5457. This AD requires you to do the following on Univair Models (ERCO) 415-C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, (ERCO) 415-E, (ERCO) 415-G, (Forney) F-1, and (Forney) F-1A airplanes:
--inspect the fuel line nipple between the gascolator and the carburetor for cracks, incorrect alignment, or over torque; and
--replace any suspect part.
These actions are specified in Univair Service Bulletin No. 24A, dated August 22, 1986.
In addition, the potential for fuel system failures due to the installation of part number (P/N) 914-2D dural elbow fittings on Erco (now Univair) Models 415-C, 415-CD, and 415-D airplanes caused FAA to issue AD 46-38-03. This AD requires you to replace this P/N 914-2 D dural elbow fitting with a P/N 914-2 elbowfitting.
What Has Happened To Initiate This Action?
The FAA has received reports of failure of the aluminum fuel line nipple, part number AN911-2D, on airplanes that were in compliance with AD 86-22-09. In one instance, a Model (ERCO) 415-C made an emergency landing because the failure led to engine fuel starvation.
AD 86-22-09 requires a one-time inspection of the part number AN911-2D fuel line nipple. Since 15 years have passed since issuance of that AD, most of the affected airplanes have had this inspection accomplished. If the fuel line nipple was not suspect at the time of inspection, then final AD compliance was obtained. In 15 years, cracks could develop in the aluminum fuel line nipple on these airplanes in compliance with AD 86-22-09.
In addition, Univair Service Bulletin No. 24A, dated August 22, 1986, also specifies replacing any aluminum fuel line nipple with a brass or steel fuel line nipple and installing double support tubes on the gascolator for those airplanes with a gascolator connected to the side of the carburetor. AD 86-22-09 required the fuel line nipple replacement only if damage was found during the one-time inspection and did not require installation of the double support tubes.
The installation of these parts would eliminate the need for AD 46-38-03.
What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the fuel line nipple or the gascolator because of the current airplane design configuration (aluminum fuel line nipples or no double support tubes on the gascolator). Such failure could result in a lack of fuel to the engine with consequent loss of control of the airplane.
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 certain Univair (ERCO) 415-1986C, (ERCO) 415-CD, (ERCO) 415-D, (ERCO) 415-E, (ERCO) 415-G, (Forney) F-1,and (Forney) F-1A airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 4, 2001 (66 FR 50578). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 86-22-09 with a new AD that would require you to accomplish the following on airplanes with the gascolator connected to the side of the carburetor:
--replace any aluminum fuel line nipple with a brass or steel fuel line nipple; and
--inspect for the existence of double support tubes on the gascolator and install these tubes if they do not exist.
The proposed AD would not affect those airplanes with the gascolator mounted on the firewall.
Was the Public Invited To Comment?
The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. Comments received on the NPRM caused us to revise the proposed action to add requirements to replace the elbow fittings with brass or steel elbow fittings and inspect the fuel line fittings between the carburetor and gascolator for cracks or misalignment and replace as necessary.
Because these additions increased the burden upon the public above that already proposed, we issued a supplemental NPRM on April 5, 2002 (67 FR 18141, April 15, 2002).
We then encouraged interested persons to again participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the supplemental NPRM.
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 in the supplemental NPRM 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 2,500 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 replacement and installation:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
Total cost
on U.S. operators
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120
$70.
$190 per airplane
$475,000.
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.
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, Incorporation by reference, 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 46-38-03 and AD 86-22-09, Amendment 39-5457, and by adding a new AD to read as follows: