[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 203 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62651-62653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26879]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-41-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 all Lockheed Model L-1011-385 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a visual inspection of 
the fuel level control switch, the fuel level control switch wiring 
harness, and the wiring harness conduit for damage, wear or chafing, 
broken or missing O-rings, or indications of electrical arcing. The 
proposal would also require replacement of a certain conduit in the 
fuel level control switch wiring harness, installation of electrical 
sleeving over the fuel level control switch wiring harness, and 
installation of the modified fuel level control switch. These actions 
are intended to prevent chafing of the fuel level control switch wiring 
harness, which could cause arcing and result in a fire in the fuel 
tank.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 4, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-41-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.
    Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may 
also be sent via the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain 
``Docket No. 2000-NM-41-AD'' in the subject line and need not be 
submitted

[[Page 62652]]

in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic 
files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Center, 120 Orion 
Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29605. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta ACO, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Peters, Program Manager, ACE-116A, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; 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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-41-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. 2000-NM-41-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    Following an incident of chafing of electrical power wires and 
subsequent arcing through a conduit inside a fuel tank on another 
manufacturer's transport airplane, the FAA requested that airplane 
manufacturers perform a survey of electrical power wires routed in 
conduits inside fuel tanks of high-time airplanes. As part of the 
resulting survey, 41 wiring harnesses of the fuel level control switch 
were removed and inspected. Of these, two harnesses showed signs of 
damage to the insulation around the wires. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in chafing of the wiring harness of the fuel 
level control switch, which could cause arcing and result in a fire in 
the fuel tank.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-28-
094, dated March 3, 2000, which describes procedures for inspecting the 
fuel level control switch, the fuel level control switch wiring 
harness, and the wiring harness conduit for visible damage, wear or 
chafing, broken or missing O-rings, or indications of electrical 
arcing. The service bulletin also describes procedures for replacement 
of a certain conduit in the fuel level control switch wiring harness, 
installation of electrical sleeving over the fuel level control switch 
wiring harness, and installation of the fuel level control switch which 
has been so modified. 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 actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the service bulletin 
recommends accomplishing the inspection, installation, and replacement 
actions ``at the earliest opportunity where manpower and facilities are 
available,'' the FAA has determined that such an indefinite compliance 
schedule would not address the identified unsafe condition in a timely 
manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, the 
FAA considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation, but the 
degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe 
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the 
schedule of regular inspections and maintenance. In light of all of 
these factors, the FAA finds a twelve-month compliance time for 
initiating the required actions to be warranted, in that it represents 
an appropriate interval for affected airplanes to continue to operate 
without compromising safety.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 235 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 
19 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, 
replacement, and installation, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $200 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $156,780, or $1,340 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the

[[Page 62653]]

various levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.
    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Lockheed: Docket 2000-NM-41-AD.

    Applicability: All Model L-1011-385 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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of the fuel level control switch wiring 
harness, which could cause arcing and result in a fire in the fuel 
tank, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Replacement, and Installation

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Verify 
the part number (P/N) of the wiring harness conduit and perform a 
general visual inspection of the fuel level control switch, the fuel 
level control switch wiring harness, and the wiring harness conduit 
to detect any visible damage, any wear or chafing, broken or missing 
O-rings, or indications of electrical arcing, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-28-094, 
dated March 3, 2000.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (1) If a conduit with P/N 97590-121 is installed: Prior to 
further flight, install sleeving over each fuel level control switch 
wiring harness and install the modified fuel level control switch, 
in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If any conduit other than with P/N 97590-121 is installed: 
Prior to further flight, replace the conduit with one having P/N 
97590-121, install sleeving over each fuel level control switch 
wiring harness, and install the modified fuel level control switch, 
in accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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 October 13, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-26879 Filed 10-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P