[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7069]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-220-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 382 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Lockheed Model 382 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require a revision to the Airplane 
Flight Manual to require takeoff operation in accordance with revised 
performance data. This proposal is prompted by a report of a change 
that had been incorporated into the propeller governor of these 
airplanes during production, which altered the thrust decay 
characteristic of the propeller when operating in an engine failure 
scenario. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
ensure that the airplane is operated at sufficient speeds to mitigate 
the problems associated with a faster thrust decay and to prevent the 
airplane from departing the side of the runway.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-220-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Lockheed Western Export Company, 2251 Lake Park Drive, 
Smyrna, Georgia 30080. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1669 
Phoenix Parkway, suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, suite 
210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (404) 991-3915; fax (404) 991-
3606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 93-NM-220-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 93-NM-220-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    During recent flight testing of a Lockheed Model 382 series 
airplane, the airplane could not meet the ground minimum control speed 
(Vmcg) schedule as specified in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM). Investigation revealed that, during production, a change 
had been incorporated into the propeller governor, which altered the 
thrust decay characteristic of the propeller when operating in an 
engine failure scenario. This altered characteristic was such that the 
actual Vmcg values were increased by as much as 15 knots 
calibrated airspeed (KCAS) over the values specified in the AFM. This 
condition poses a potential hazard in those situations where an 
airplane is operated in a high thrust-to-weight condition and the 
takeoff decision speed (V1) is equal to or very near Vmcg: If 
the airplane were to experience a critical engine failure at, or very 
near, the currently published V1 speed, and the flight crew 
elected to continue the takeoff, the faster thrust decay (and, hence, 
an increasing Vmcg) could cause the airplane to swerve more than 
the 25-foot limit permitted by Civil Aeronautics Regulation 4b (under 
which the Model 382 was certificated). This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to the airplane departing the side of the runway.
    Lockheed Model 382, 382E, and 382G series airplanes that are 
equipped with a servo-type valve housing assembly, having part number 
714325-2, -3, -5, -6, or -7 installed on any outboard engine, have been 
determined to be subject to this unsafe condition.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved Lockheed Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) Supplement 382-16, dated August 11, 1993, that provides revised 
performance data to address the increase in Vmcg. It also provides 
procedures to permit changing the power setting of the outboard 
engines, in order to partially mitigate the payload penalty associated 
with the increased Vmcg. This AFM supplement is intended to be 
interim action until a design change in the propeller governor is 
developed to address the Vmcg characteristics.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist on other products of this same type design, the proposed AD would 
require a revision to the FAA-approved AFM to require takeoff operation 
of the airplane in accordance with the revised performance data 
contained in the AFM supplement described previously.
    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may propose further rulemaking..
    There are approximately 112 Model 382, 382E, and 382G series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 18 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed AFM change, and that the average labor rate 
is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $990, or $55 per 
airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (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) if promulgated, 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 draft 
regulatory 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Lockheed: Docket 93-NM-220-AD.

    Applicability: Model 382, 382E, and 382G series airplanes; 
equipped with a servo-type valve housing assembly, having part 
number 714325-2, -3, -5, -6, or -7, installed on any outboard 
engine; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To ensure that the airplane is operated at sufficient 
speeds to mitigate the problems associated with a faster thrust 
decay and to prevent the airplane from departing the side of the 
runway, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations and Performance Data Sections of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the information specified in 
Lockheed Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 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) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to 
a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-7069 Filed 3-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U