[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54378-54379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27579]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-08-AD; Amendment 39-10166; AD 97-21-13]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Lockheed Model 382 series airplanes, that requires
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the positioning
of the power levers below the flight idle stop, and to provide a
statement of the consequences of positioning the power levers below the
flight idle stop. This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents
involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the
propeller beta was used improperly during flight. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability, or
engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the
power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the
airplane is in flight.
DATES: Effective November 24, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 24, 1997.
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, Small
Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown
Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center,
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone
(707) 703-6063; fax (707) 703-6097.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Lockheed Model 382 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 26, 1997 (62
FR 14369). That action proposed to require revising the Limitations
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the positioning
of the power levers below the flight idle stop, and to provide a
statement of consequences of positioning the power levers below the
flight idle stop.
Interim Action
This is considered interim action until final action is identified,
at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 18 Lockheed 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 AD, that it will
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $1,080, or $60 per airplane.
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 would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
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) 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-21-13 Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company: Amendment 39-10166.
Docket 97-NM-08-AD.
Applicability: All Model 382 series airplanes, certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For
[[Page 54379]]
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 (b) 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 prevent loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed
with consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers
being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in
flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the following statements. This may be accomplished
by inserting a copy of this AD or Lockheed AFM 382/E/G, Revision 24,
dated November 15, 1996, into the AFM.
Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while the
airplane is in-flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead to
loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition and
consequent loss of engine power.
(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
Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Atlanta ACO.
Note 2: 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.
(d) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this AD, the AFM
revision shall be done in accordance with Lockheed Airplane Flight
Manual (AFM) 382/E/G, Revision 24, dated November 15, 1996, which
contains the following list of effective pages:
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Revision
Page No. level shown
on page
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Log of Revisions........................................... 24
Page viE/(viF Blank)
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
Part 51. 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 Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 24, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 10, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27579 Filed 10-17-97; 8:45 am]
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