[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6579-6581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3833]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-35-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 supersedure of 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 
proposal would revise the applicability of the existing AD to remove 
certain airplanes. This proposal also would revise references to a 
certain replacement part number of a valve housing. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure that the airplane 
maintains adequate thrust decay characteristics in the event of 
critical engine failure during takeoff.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 11, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-35-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 

[[Page 6580]]
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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 
Campus Building, Suite 2-160, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
Georgia 30337-2748.

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

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 96-NM-35-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. 96-NM-35-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On May 26, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-12-05, amendment 39-9255 (60 
FR 28715, June 2, 1995), applicable to certain Lockheed Model 382 
series airplanes, to require 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. That action was 
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 requirements of that AD are intended to 
ensure that the airplane maintains adequate thrust decay 
characteristics in the event of critical engine failure during takeoff.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has advised the FAA 
that servo-type valve housing assemblies having certain part numbers 
cited in the existing AD were incorrect. Specifically, servo-type valve 
housing assemblies cited in the applicability as part numbers 714325-2, 
-5, and -6, are incorrect since they are parts configured specifically 
for the military; only part numbers 714325-3 and -7 should be cited.
    The manufacturer also advised that the replacement servo-type valve 
housing assembly having part number 714325-1, as cited in paragraph (b) 
and NOTE 2 of the existing AD, is also a valve housing configured for 
the military. In addition, part number 714325-1 does not have a 
particular switch that is necessary to drive the annunciation required 
by the FAA. The correct replacement part is a valve housing specified 
by governor assembly control number 577888 on the propeller governors 
installed on the outboard engines.
    Based on this information, the FAA has determined the following:
    1. The applicability of the existing AD must be revised to cite 
only airplanes equipped with servo-type valve housing assemblies having 
part numbers 714325-3 and -7;
    2. The replacement servo-type valve housing assembly (part number 
71425-1) cited in the existing AD must be specified as governor 
assembly control number 577888; and
    3. The servo-type valve housing assembly part numbers referenced in 
NOTE 2 of the existing AD must be revised to cite only part numbers 
714325-3 and -7.
    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 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 proposed AD 
would also continue to require the installation of certain valve 
housings for the propeller governor on the outboard engines. The 
revisions to this proposed AD are specified as Items 1, 2, and 3, 
above.
    Additionally, the compliance time for the installation of the valve 
housings has been revised to 12 months after the effective date of the 
final rule for this new AD. (In AD 95-12-05, the compliance time for 
this installation was 24 months.) This revision will ensure that the 
date of compliance with this installation requirement will fall at 
approximately the same time that compliance was required by the 
existing AD. As indicated in the existing AD, this time represents what 
the FAA considers the maximum interval of time allowable for the 
affected airplanes to continue to operate prior to accomplishing the 
required installation without compromising safety. This compliance time 
interval also will allow the installation to be accomplished during the 
time of a regularly scheduled maintenance for most affected operators.
    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.
    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 will 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 proposed AD only 
revises certain information and part numbers, it would add 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 proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would 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 

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382 series airplanes has already equipped half of its fleet (9 
airplanes) with the valve housing assembly that will be required by 
this proposed rule. Therefore, the future economic cost of this 
proposed rule on U.S. operators is now only $814,320.
    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 
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), 
to read as follows:

Lockheed: 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3833 Filed 2-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U