AD 2001-22-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Overland Aviation Services (OAS) fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges that were distributed during a certain time period and are installed on aircraft. This AD requires you to remove from service any of these fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges. This AD is the result of several incidents where the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges activated with excessive energetic force. In one instance, the discharge valve outlet screen fractured and the screen material went through the distribution manifold. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to fire extinguishing system components caused by a fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge activating with excessive energetic force, which could result in the fire extinguishing system operating improperly.

Final rule.

2001-22-14 Overland Aviation Services: Amendment 39-12493; Docket No. 98-CE-113-AD. \n\n\t(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges presented in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD that were distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997, and are installed on, but not limited to, the specified aircraft: \n\n\t\t(1) This chart presents the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge part number, the fire extinguishing system bottle assembly basic part number, the make/model aircraft that the system could be installed on, and the cartridge lot number: \n\n\nOverland Aviation Services (OAS) cartridge part numbers \nWalter Kidde Aerospace (WKA) fire extinguishing system (Firex) bottle assembly basic part number\nMake/model of applicable aircraft\nCartridge lot number \nOA472001\n472073, 472420, 472467, 897878, 897885, 899170\nAerospatiale ATR72 Series ATR42-200, -300, -320; Embraer EMB-120 Series\nSBI 1-1 SBI 1-2 \nOA841155\n890532, 890598, 890599, 891070, 891147, 891814, 892308, 893675, 898768\nBoeing 707-100, -100B Series, -300 Series, 720B; McDonnell Douglas DC-8 and DC-8F Series; Lockheed 382, 382E, 382F, 382G; Sabreliner NA-265 Series; Bell 204B\nSBI 1-3, OAS 1-2 \nOA873364\n472049, 472162, 472389, 472390, 893456, 893523, 893524, 893572, 893726, 894703, 895353, 897770, 898006, 898066 \nGulfstream G-1159, G-1159B, G-1159A; Cessna 425, 441, 550, S550, 551, 552 Fokker F.28 Series; SAAB 340 Series; Bell 412\nSBI 1-3\nOA873571\n892807, 892857, 893244, 899827, 899927\nBoeing 707-100, -100B Series, -300 Series, 720B; McDonnell Douglas DC-8, DC-8F Series; DC-9 Series; Lockheed 382, 382E, 382F, 382G\nSBI 2-2 \nOA876296\n472602, 472603, 473598, 895240, 895564, 895678, 895683, 895877, 896054, 898150\nMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-81, DC-9-82, DC-9-83, DC-10 Series; Airbus A300 Series\nSBI 1-1, OAS 1-1 \nOA876299\n472268, 895656, 895752, 895848, 896165, 896166, 897785, 897797, 897798\nLockheed L-1011 Series \nSBI 1-1\nOA897776\n472258, 472428, 897775, 897869, 897885, 897899, 899066, 899074, 899170, 899486\nCanadair CL-600-1A11, CL-600 -2A12, CL-600-2B16; Embraer EMB-120, EMB 120RT; Sikorsky S-76A; SAAB 340 Series \nSBI 1-4, SBI 1-15, SBI 1-16, OAS 1-1\n\n\t\t(2) OAS distributed the affected fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. This AD does not apply to cartridges incorporated on the aircraft prior to April 1, 1996. \n\n\t\t(3) Procurement records may show if the owner/operator has ever bought affected parts, for spares or time replacements, for airplane installation, or to support a repair shop. These could be cross-referenced to the lots that are suspect. Additionally, a review of procurement records with respect to the part number, lot number, and distribution date of the suspect lots would also reduce the owners'/operators' workload of having to examine all applicable Air Transport Association (ATA) codes in the databases. A search of the maintenance/inspection records and logbooks of a specific airplane make and model and serial number could be beneficial. \n\n\t\t(4) The fire extinguishing system parts are installed up to a hex wrenching flat on the cartridge body. These wrenching flats have the part number, lot number, and date of manufacture stamped on them, as well as safety wire holes. When installed, the safety wire will probably cover up at least one bit of the above information. Inspecting the wrenching flats could help determine whether the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges contain a suspect part number with the affected distribution date or lot number. \n\n\t(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD. \n\n\t(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to fire extinguishing system components caused by a fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge activating with excessive energetic force. This could result in the fire extinguishing system operating improperly and lead to passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire. \n\n\t(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following: \n\n\nActions\nCompliance\nProcedures\n(1) Check the maintenance records to determine whether an extinguishing system bottle cartridge that is referenced in paragraphs (a) and (a)(1) of this AD is installed. \n (i) If an affected fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge was installed prior to April 1, 1996, you do not have to accomplish the removal and replacement requirements of this AD (paragraph (d)(2) of this AD); and. \n (ii) Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with that portion of the AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). \n\nWithin the next 80 days after December 10, 2001 (the affected date of this AD). \nThe owner/operator holding at leasta private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may accomplish these actions. \n(2) Remove from service any fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge referenced in paragraph (a) and (a)(1) of this AD). Replace that bottle cartridge with an FAA-approved fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge that is not one of the applicable OAS part numbers that was distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. \nWithin the next 180 days after December 10, 2001 (the effective dated of this AD). \nOAS Service Bulletin 22-09-97, dated October 1, 2001, contains information related to this subject. \n(3) Do not install, on any aircraft, any affected OAS fire extinguishing system bottled cartridge that was distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. \nAs of December 10, 2001 (the effective date of this AD). \nNot Applicable. \n\n\tNote 1: "Unless already accomplished" credit may be extended to the records check allowed by this AD provided that the records are checked to cover any time period that has elapsed since the previous check. \n\n\t(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: \n\n\t\t(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and \n\n\t\t(2) The Manager, Wichita ACO, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO. \n\n\tNote 2: This AD applies to each aircraft that incorporates one of the fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges identified in paragraphs (a) and (a)(1) of this AD; regardless of whether the aircraft has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft 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 the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\t(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Jeffrey D. Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4148; facsimile: (316) 946-4407. \n\n\t(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 sections 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. \n\n\t(h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? You may obtain copies of the document referenced in this AD from Overland Aviation Services, 10271 Bach Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132. You may view this document at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. \n\n\t(i) This amendment becomes effective on December 10, 2001.

Discussion \n\n\tWhat events have caused this AD? The FAA has received reports of several incidents where fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges that were manufactured by Overland Aviation Services (OAS) activated with excessive energetic force. In one instance, the discharge valve outlet screen fractured and the screen material went through the distribution manifold. \n\n\tThe fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges are considered critical parts. The fire extinguishing system is only required to function after a failure or series of failures have occurred and developed into the potential for a fire. In the above-referenced incidents, the fire extinguishing system could not be relied on because of the potential for damage to the fire extinguishing system components that could result from a cartridge activating with excessive energetic force. OAS distributed fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges that could incorporate this problem from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997. \n\n\tWhat is the potential impact if FAA took no action? A fire extinguishing system bottle cartridge activating with excessive energetic force could result in damage to fire extinguishing system components and cause the system to operate improperly. This could lead to passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire. \n\n\tHas 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 OAS fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges that were distributed from April 1, 1996, through September 15, 1997, and were installed on aircraft. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on July 12, 1999 (64 FR 37471). The NPRM proposed to require you to remove from service any of these fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges. \n\n\tWas the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested persons toparticipate in the making of this amendment. The following presents the comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to each comment: \n\nComment Issue No. 1: Change the Compliance Time to "the Next Scheduled Inspection/Maintenance Interval" \n\n\tWhat is the commenter's concern? One commenter recommends that FAA change the compliance time to the next scheduled inspection/maintenance interval. This would coincide with OAS Service Bulletin 22-09-97. \n\n\tWhat is FAA's response to the concern? We do not concur with changing the compliance to the next scheduled inspection/maintenance interval. Operators of airplanes with the affected equipment use their airplanes in different operations, e.g., parts 121 and 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR parts 121 and 135). These operations allow different inspection/maintenance intervals. The next inspection/maintenance interval for some airplanes may occur within a week after this AD becomes effective where the interval for other airplanes may occur a year after the AD becomes effective. \n\n\tWe have determined that the compliance time of "180 days after the effective date of the AD" will neither inadvertently ground any airplanes nor allow airplanes to operate with potentially defective equipment for an extended period of time. \n\n\tWe will consider individual extensions to the compliance times as alternative methods of compliance provided they: \n\n--Provide a level of safety that is acceptable to FAA; and\n\n--Are submitted using the procedures in the AD. \n\n\tWe are not making any changes to the final rule as a result of these comments. \n\nComment Issue No. 2: Re-estimate the Cost Impact \n\n\tWhat is the commenter's concern? A commenter states that FAA's cost analysis does not account for the potential unnecessary inspection and removal of parts when you cannot identify whether one of the affected cartridges is installed. The commenter estimates this cost impact at three times more than FAA's estimate.What is FAA's response to the concern? We based our cost analysis on operator input of the efforts to accomplish the inspection and replacement of the suspect part. Any unnecessary removal would be the result of improper identification or a lack of proper maintenance records. We have determined that, if proper maintenance was followed, the owner/operator of an airplane will maintain a direct correlation between the identity of parts on a particular airplane and that airplane's maintenance records and logbooks. \n\n\tWe are not making any changes to the final rule as a result of these comments. \n\nComment Issue No. 3: Clarify the Approved Replacement Parts \n\n\tWhat is the commenter's concern? One commenter asks for clarification regarding whether you can use a replacement part with the same part number as those affected by this action. The commenter believes you can if the part is not of the suspect distribution date or lot number. However, the commenter feels that the current wording in the NPRM on this issue is unclear. \n\n\tWhat is FAA's response to the concern? After re-evaluating the wording in the NPRM, we concur that the language could be more clear. To address this, we are also specifying the lot number and the distribution date in all references to part number in the AD. \n\nComment Issue No. 4: Explain Why FAA Uses the Distribution Date of the Cartridge Instead of the Manufacturing Date \n\n\tWhat is the commenter's concern? One commenter asks for information regarding the requirement to use the distribution date of suspect parts instead of the manufacturing date. In particular, the commenter wants to be able to substitute the manufacturing date for the distribution date and wants information about the relationship between the two. \n\n\tWhat is FAA's response to the concern? The manufacturer of the suspect part does not tie a single manufacturing date to a specific lot number. The lot number more directly identifies suspect components. For example, themanufacturer has produced parts with the same lot number on five different manufacturing dates. \n\n\tDistribution dates are also as important as the lot numbers. Parts may have been manufactured earlier than the distribution date or the date when sent to the field or distributor. \n\n\tBecause of these discrepancies between the manufacturing date and the lot number and distribution dates, we \nare using the part number, lot number, and distribution date as the identifying criteria for this AD action. \n\n\tWe are not making any changes to the final rule as a result of these comments. \n\nComment Issue No. 5: Extend the Compliance Time To Ensure Parts Availability \n\n\tWhat is the commenter's concern? OAS requests FAA extend the comment period so the company can ensure that parts are available to all affected owners/operators of the aircraft with the affected cartridges installed. OAS estimates it would need approximately 210 days as of August 10, 2001. \n\n\tWhat is FAA's response to theconcern? We will increase the compliance time from 120 days to 180 days. The AD becomes effective on December 10, 2001 (122 days past August 10, 2001). This would give OAS approximately 300 days to ensure that parts are available to all affected owners/operators of the aircraft with the affected cartridges installed. \n\n\tWe are changing the final rule to reflect this change. \n\n\tWhat is FAA's final determination on this issue? We carefully reviewed all available information related to the subject presented above and determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the changes discussed above and minor editorial questions. We have determined that these changes and minor corrections: \n\n--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and \n\n--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\nCompliance Time of This AD \n\n\tWhy is the compliance of this AD presented in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS)? The unsafe condition described in this AD is not a direct result of aircraft operation. The fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges could activate with excessive energetic force the first time they are used during flight. This could occur on an aircraft with 50 hours TIS or an aircraft with 10,000 hours TIS. Therefore, to ensure that the unsafe condition is corrected in a timely manner, this AD is utilizing a compliance time of 180 days after the effective date of the AD. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tHow many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects 5,128 fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges \n\n\tWhat is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish this action: \n\n\nLabor cost \nParts cost\nTotal cost per airplane\nTotal Cost on U.S. operators \n8 workhours x $60 per hour=$480\nOAS to provide at no charge\n$480\n$2,461,440\n\n\tOAS reports that 2,100 parts have been removed from service. This reduces the cost impact of this AD from $2,461,440, to $1,453,440. \n\n\tThe number of cartridges utilized varies from airplane to airplane. The FAA has no way of determining which airplanes have the affected fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges incorporated. Therefore, FAA has presented the cost impact of this AD based upon the number of fire extinguishing system bottle cartridges manufactured instead of the number of airplanes affected. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tDoes 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. \n\n\tDoes 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESSDIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows: