[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 110 (Thursday, June 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14020]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 9, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-32-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011-385 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 L-1011-385
series airplanes. This proposal would require various modifications and
inspections of the flight controls, doors, and horizontal stabilizers.
This proposal is prompted by a recommendation by the Systems Review
Task Force (SRTF) for accomplishment of certain modifications and
inspections that will enhance the controllability of these airplanes in
the unlikely event of flight control malfunction or failure. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure airplane
survivability in the event of damage to fully powered flight control
systems.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 3, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-32-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 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 FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta,
Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer,
Flight Test Branch, ACE-160A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta
Aircraft Certification Office, Suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway,
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 94-NM-32-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. 94-NM-32-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.
Discussion
In July 1989, a transport category airplane was involved in an
accident in Sioux City, Iowa, resulting in the deaths of 110 passengers
and one crewmember. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
identified the catastrophic disintegration of the stage 1 fan disk of
one of the engines as a probable cause of the accident. The resulting
debris damaged the hydraulic systems that power the flight controls,
resulting in the loss of virtually all control capability.
Following the accident, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration convened a Systems Review Task Force (SRTF) to
investigate means for enhancing airplane survivability following damage
to fully powered flight control systems. The SRTF formed working groups
to perform these investigations for specific airplane models to
determine what actions could be effective in protecting other transport
category airplanes with powered flight control systems from similar
engine or systems failures.
The SRTF working group assigned to review Lockheed Model L-1011-385
series airplanes has completed its review of the Model L-1011-385
design, including existing service bulletins, and has issued a report
recommending accomplishment of certain modifications and inspections
described in a Lockheed L-1011-385 service bulletin. A copy of the
report is contained in the Rules Docket for this AD action.
The FAA has reviewed and approved Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-
301 [``Flight Controls, Modifications and Inspections, Collector
Service Bulletin'' (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992, which was issued in
response to the SRTF report. Accomplishment of the inspections and
modifications specified in the CSB will enhance the controllability of
the airplane in the unlikely event of flight control malfunction or
failure.
The CSB lists 34 individual service bulletins that describe
procedures for accomplishment of various modifications and inspections
recommended by the SRTF. The FAA has determined that the modifications
and inspections described in 8 of the 34 service bulletins identified
in the CSB must be accomplished in order to ensure airplane
survivability in the event of damage to fully powered flight control
systems. All 8 of these service bulletins have been reviewed and
approved by the FAA. The remaining 26 service bulletins contained in
the CSB address service problems and systems enhancements that are not
directly related to increasing in-flight controllability of the
airplane.
Six of the eight individual Lockheed service bulletins discussed
previously describe procedures for various modifications and
inspections involving the flight controls and are identified as
follows:
1. Alert Service Bulletin 093-27-A102, dated March 13, 1974,
``Flight Controls--Pitch and Roll Disconnects, Inspection of Cable
Attachments.''
2. Service Bulletin 093-27-178, dated April 30, 1979, ``Flight
Controls--Horizontal Stabilizer--Pitch Override Bungee Fasteners Torque
Verification.''
3. Service Bulletin 093-27-200, Revision 2, dated September 28,
1982, ``Flight Controls--Aileron and Horizontal Stabilizer Control
Systems--Pitch and Roll Disconnect Handle Support Bosses and Disconnect
Mechanism Inspection/Modification.''
4. Service Bulletin 093-27-279, Revision 1, dated February 1, 1984,
``Flight Controls--Stabilizer Servo Cross-Tie Interlock Bungee
Inspection/Modification and Bracket Modification.''
5. Service Bulletin 093-27-289, dated December 3, 1984, ``Control
Wheel Roll Interconnect Inspection.''
6. Service Bulletin 093-27-292, Revision 3, dated March 28, 1991,
``Flight Controls--Horizontal Stabilizer Control System--Modification
of Torque Tube Assembly Support Brackets.
One of the eight individual service bulletins describes procedures
for modification of the doors and is identified as follows:
7. Service Bulletin 093-52-061, Revision 1, dated November 1, 1974,
``Doors--Ram Air Turbine Doors--Modification of Linkage.
The eighth individual service bulletin describes procedures for
modification of the horizontal stabilizers and is identified as
follows:
8. Service Bulletin 093-55-030, Revision 1, dated March 20, 1991,
``Stabilizers--Horizontal Stabilizers--Left and Right Pivot Bearing
Assembly--Replacement of Setscrews with Safety Wired Fillister Head
Screws.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require various modifications and inspections of the
flight controls, doors, and horizontal stabilizers. The actions would
be required to be accomplished in accordance with the CSB described
previously.
There are approximately 236 Model L-1011-385 series airplanes of
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 117
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 87 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work
hour. Required parts for certain modifications would be supplied by the
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Required parts for certain other
modifications would be minimal in cost. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $559,845, or $4,785 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 number of required work hours, as indicated above, is presented
as if the accomplishment of the actions proposed in this AD were to be
conducted as ``stand alone'' actions. However, the 4-year compliance
time specified in paragraph (a) of this proposed AD should allow ample
time for the modifications and inspections to be accomplished
coincidentally with scheduled major airplane inspection and maintenance
activities, thereby minimizing the costs associated with special
airplane scheduling.
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 Aeronautical Systems Company: Docket 94-NM-32-AD.
Applicability: Model L-1011-385 series airplanes; as listed in
Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 [``Flight Controls--
Modifications and Inspections--Collector Service Bulletin'' (CSB)],
dated June 9, 1992; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure airplane survivability in the event of damage to fully
powered flight control systems, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish modifications and inspections of the flight controls,
modification of the doors, and modification of the horizontal
stabilizers, in accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301
[``Flight Controls--Modifications and Inspections--Collector Service
Bulletin'' (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as
the CSB). This paragraph requires accomplishment of certain Lockheed
service bulletins identified in the CSB, as listed below.
Modifications or inspections accomplished previously in accordance
with earlier revisions of the service bulletins listed below are
acceptable for compliance with this AD.
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Revision
Service bulletin No. level Date of issuance
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093-27-A102 (Alert Service Original.... March 13, 1974.
Bulletin).
093-27-178.................. Original.... April 30, 1979.
093-27-200.................. 2........... September 28, 1982.
093-27-279.................. 1........... February 1, 1984.
093-27-289.................. Original.... December 3, 1984.
093-27-292.................. 3........... March 28, 1991.
093-52-061.................. 1........... November 1, 1974.
093-55-030.................. 1........... March 20, 1991.
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Note 1: Paragraph (a) of this AD does not require accomplishment
of any of the service bulletins listed in the CSB other than those
identified above.
Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions described in Lockheed
Service Bulletin 093-27-280, dated December 16, 1983, is considered
an acceptable means of compliance for accomplishment of the
inspection and modification described in Lockheed Service Bulletin
093-27-279, Revision 1, dated February 1, 1984.
(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 3: 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
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-14020 Filed 6-8-94; 8:45 am]
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