[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48693-48694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17590]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 25, 121, and 129
[Docket No.: FAA-2014-0500; Amdt. Nos. 25-143, 121-375, and 129-52]
RIN 2120-AK30
Fuel Tank Vent Fire Protection; Correction
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting a final rule published in the Federal
Register on June 24, 2016 (81 FR 41200). In that final rule, the FAA
amended certain airworthiness regulations for transport category
airplanes to require fuel tank designs that prevent a fuel tank
explosion caused by the propagation of flames, from external fires,
through the fuel tank vents. The final rule requires a delay of two
minutes and thirty seconds between exposure of external fuel tank vents
to ignition sources and explosions caused by propagation of flames into
the fuel tank, thus increasing the time available for passenger
evacuation and emergency response. The amendments apply to applications
for new type certificates and certain applications for amended or
supplemental type certificates. The amendments also require certain
airplanes produced in the future and operated by air carriers to meet
the new standards.
However, in that document, the amendment numbers for the final
rules were incorrect, and an airplane model number in a footnote was
incorrect. This document now posts the correct amendment numbers and
airplane model number in the footnote.
DATES: This correction is effective on July 26, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning
this action, contact Mike Dostert, Propulsion and Mechanical Systems
Branch, ANM-112, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2132; facsimile (425) 227 1149;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 24, 2016, the FAA published a final rule titled, ``Fuel
Tank Vent Fire Protection'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 41200).
The intent of that rule is to prevent fuel tank explosions caused
by ignition from external ignition sources of fuel vapor either
contained in vapor spaces \1\ or exiting from vapor spaces through the
fuel tank vent outlets. Potential external ignition sources include,
but are not limited to, ground handling equipment, fuel fires that
result from refueling spills, or ground fires that follow a survivable
crash landing in which the fuel tank and the vent system remain intact.
Means to prevent or delay the propagation of flame \2\ from external
sources into the fuel tank through the fuel tank vent system \3\ would
also prevent or delay fuel tank explosions following certain accidents.
These means include flame arrestors or fuel tank inerting. This
prevention or delay would provide additional time for the safe
evacuation of passengers from the airplane and for emergency personnel
to provide assistance.
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\1\ A vapor space is any portion of the airplane fuel tanks and
the fuel tank vent system that, if such tanks and system held any
fuel, could contain fuel vapor.
\2\ Flame propagation is the spread of a flame in a combustible
environment outward from the point at which the combustion started.
\3\ A fuel tank vent system is a system that ventilates fuel
vapor from the airplane fuel tanks to the atmosphere. A fuel tank
vent system ensures that the air and fuel pressure within the fuel
tank stay within structural limits required by Sec. 25.975(a).
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The rule applies to applications for new type certificates and
applications for amended or supplemental type certificates on
significant product-level change projects in which title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 25.975, ``Fuel tank vents and carburetor
vapor vents,'' is applicable to a changed area. Additionally, a new
operating requirement in both 14 CFR part 121, ``Operating
Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations,'' and 14 CFR
part 129, ``Operations: Foreign Air Carriers and Foreign Operators of
U.S.-Registered Aircraft Engaged in Common Carriage,'' applies to
airplanes that are issued an original airworthiness certificate after a
specified date.
However, the rule published with incorrect amendment numbers, ``25-
142, 21-376, and 129-53.'' Amendment number 25-142 is the same
amendment number as the rule titled ``Harmonization of Airworthiness
Standards--Fire Extinguishers and Class B and F Cargo Compartments,''
which published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2016 (81 FR
7698). Amendment numbers 21-376 and 129-53 are incorrect designations.
The correct amendment numbers for this rule are ``25-143, 121-375, and
129-52.''
[[Page 48694]]
In the same publication on page 41203 in footnote number 14, the
Lockheed airplane model number referenced is ``328.'' The correct
number should be ``382.''
Correction
In FR Doc. 2016-14454, beginning on page 41200 in the Federal
Register of June 24, 2016, make the following corrections:
Correction
1. On page 41200, in the second column, correct the 4th header
paragraph to read as follows:
``[Docket No.: FAA-2014-0500; Amdt. Nos. 25-143, 121-375, and 129-
52].''
2. On page 41203, in the second column, correct the text of
footnote number 14 to read as follows:
``The previously approved Lockheed 382 and Embraer flame arrestors
would not have met the 2 minute and 30 second requirement.''
Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f) and 44701(a)
in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2016.
Lirio Liu,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2016-17590 Filed 7-25-16; 8:45 am]
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