[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33019-33021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16022]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 the replacement of the
flap position indicator with an improved flap position indicator. This
proposal is prompted by a report indicating that an airplane landed at
an excessive sink rate and sustained substantial structural
[[Page 33020]]
damage when the leading edge slats failed to extend for landing and the
flightcrew failed to increase airspeed in response, due to inadequate
annunciation of the slat failure. The actions specified by the proposed
AD are intended to prevent such inadequate annunciation, which could
result in the flightcrew being unaware when the leading edge slats fail
to extend properly; such failure could result in reduced stall margins,
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 3, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-36-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite
450, Atlanta, Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Program Manager,
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 30337-2748;
telephone (770) 703-6063; fax (770) 703-6097.
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 98-NM-36-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-36-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating that the flightcrew of a
Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series airplane failed to notice that the
leading edge slats did not extend during approach for landing. As a
result, the approach speed was not adjusted to compensate for this
abnormal configuration. The airplane landed at an excessive sink rate
and sustained substantial structural damage. The cause has been
attributed to the existing design of the flap and slat display system,
which does not provide adequate annunciation to the flightcrew when the
leading edge slats have failed to extend. The existing flap position
indicator of the flap and slat display system does not provide a
conspicuous warning should the leading edge slats fail to extend or
retract properly during flap operation. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the flightcrew being unaware when the
leading edge slats fail to extend properly; such failure could result
in reduced stall margins, and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-
128, Revision 2, dated December 1, 1997, which describes procedures for
replacement of the flap position indicator with an improved flap
position indicator. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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 accomplishment of the action specified in the
service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 164 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 89 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $25,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the replacement proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,235,680, or $25,120 per airplane.
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.
Regulatory Impact
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.
[[Page 33021]]
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Lockheed: Docket 98-NM-36-AD.
Applicability: Model L-1011-385-1, -14, and -15 series
airplanes, as listed in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-128,
Revision 2, dated December 1, 1997; 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 (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 prevent inadequate annunciation to the flightcrew of leading
edge slat failures, which could result in reduced stall margins, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the flap position indicator with a new, improved flap
position indicator, in accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin
093-27-128, Revision 2, dated December 1, 1997.
Note 2: Replacement of the flap position indicator accomplished
prior to the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Lockheed
Service Bulletin 093-27-128, dated November 8, 1976, or Revision 1,
dated January 17, 1977, is considered acceptable for compliance with
paragraph (a) of this AD.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a flap position indicator, part number 672563-111 or 672563-115, on
any airplane.
(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 June 9, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16022 Filed 6-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U