AD 97-4946

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 9075-9076] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-4946]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-35-AD; Amendment 39-9951; AD 97-05-07] RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 382 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Lockheed Model 382 series airplanes, that currently requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual to require takeoff operation in accordance with revised performance data. That AD also requires installation of certain valve housings for the propeller governor on the outboard engines. This amendment revises the applicability of the existing AD to remove certain airplanes. This amendment also revises references to a certain replacement part number of a valve housing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that the airplane maintains adequate thrust decay characteristics in the event of critical engine failure during takeoff.

DATES: Effective April 4, 1997. The incorporation by reference of Lockheed Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 382-16, dated August 11, 1993, as listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 10, 1994 (59 FR 35236, July 11, 1994).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company (LASSC), Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; telephone (404) 305-7367; fax (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 95-12-05, amendment 39-9255 (60 FR 28715, June 2, 1995), which is applicable to certain Lockheed Model 382 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on February 21, 1996 (61 FR 6579). The action proposed to supersede AD 95-12-05 to continue to require the previous revision to the Airplane Flight Manual to require takeoff operation in accordance with revised performance data. The action also proposed to continue to require the installation of certain valve housings for the propeller governor on the outboard engines. The action also proposed to revise the applicability of the existing AD to remove certain airplanes, and to revise references to a certain replacement part number of a valve housing. Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.

Support for the Proposal

The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 112 Model 382 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 18 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this proposed AD. The actions that are currently required by AD 95-12-05 take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts cost approximately $90,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators of the actions currently required is estimated to be $1,628,640, or $90,480 per airplane. Since this new AD only revises certain information and part numbers, it will impose no new costs to the affected operators. The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator will accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been advised that the only U.S. operator of the affected Lockheed Model 382 series airplanes has already equipped half of its fleet (9 airplanes) with the valve housing assembly that is required by this AD. Therefore, the future economic cost of this AD on U.S. operators is now only $814,320.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 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)

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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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9255 (60 FR 28715, June 2, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-9951, to read as follows:

97-05-07 Lockheed: Amendment 39-9951. Docket 96-NM-35-AD. Supersedes AD 95-12-05, Amendment 39-9255.

Applicability: Model 382, 382E, and 382G series airplanes; equipped with a servo-type valve housing assembly having part number 714325-3 or -7 installed on any outboard engine; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 (c) 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.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To ensure that the airplane maintains adequate thrust decay characteristics in the event of critical engine failure during takeoff, accomplish the following: (a) Within 60 days after August 10, 1994 (the effective date of AD 94-14-09, amendment 39-8961), revise the Limitations and Performance Data Sections of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include information specified in Lockheed Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 382-16, dated August 11, 1993, and operate the airplane accordingly thereafter. The requirements of this paragraph may be accomplished by inserting AFM Supplement 382-16 into the AFM. (b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the servo-type valve housing assemblies having part number 714325-3 or -7 with a governor assembly control number 577888 on the propeller governors installed on the outboard engines, in accordance with Lockheed Document SMP-515C, Card No. CO-135. Replacement of these assemblies with governor assembly control numbers 577888, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD; once the replacement is accomplished, the AFM revision may be removed.

Note 2: Propeller governors with servo-type valve housing assemblies having part number 714325-3 or -7 may be retained or replaced with a governor assembly control number 577888 for use on the inboard engine positions.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (e) The AFM revision shall be done in accordance with Lockheed Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 382-16, dated August 11, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of August 10, 1994 (59 FR 35236, July 11, 1994). Copies may be obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company (LASSC), Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 4, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 21, 1997. James V. Devany, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-4946 Filed 2-27-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U