[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18121-18122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9756]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-69-AD; Amendment 39-10466; AD 98-08-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Turbo-Propeller Powered General
Dynamics (Convair) Model 240, 340, and 440 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 various turbo-propeller powered General Dynamics
(Convair) Model 240, 340, and 440 series airplanes, that requires
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to modify the limitation that
prohibits positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop
during flight, and to provide a statement of the consequences of
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight.
This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving
airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the ground propeller
beta range 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.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 19, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Hoerman, Aerospace Engineer,
Flight Test Branch, ANM-160L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone
(562) 527-5371; fax (562) 625-5210.
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 various turbo-propeller powered
General Dynamics (Convair) Model 240, 340, and 440 series airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on July 9, 1997 (62 FR 36747). That
action proposed to require revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to
modify the limitation that prohibits positioning the power levers below
the flight idle stop during flight, and to provide a statement of the
consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop
during flight.
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 FAA estimates that 178 General Dynamics (Convair) Model 240,
340, and 440 series 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 $10,680, 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, 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:
98-08-17 General Dynamics (Convair): Amendment 39-10466. Docket 97-
NM-69-AD.
Applicability: All turbo-propeller powered Model 240, 340, and
440 series airplanes, including those models commonly referred to as
Model 580, 600, and 640 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 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.
[[Page 18122]]
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
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, 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 action may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport 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, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles 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) This amendment becomes effective on May 19, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9756 Filed 4-13-98; 8:45 am]
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