[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20760-20763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-145-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011 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 all Lockheed Model L-1011 
series airplanes that currently requires the implementation of a 
corrosion prevention and control program either by accomplishing 
specific tasks or by revising the maintenance inspection program to 
include such a program. This action would require accomplishment of new 
specific tasks and visual inspections to detect corrosion of certain 
structural areas and repair, or revision of the maintenance inspection 
program. This proposal relates to the recommendations of the 
Airworthiness Assurance Task Force assigned to review Model L-1011 
series airplanes, which indicate that, to assure long term continued 
operational safety, various structural inspections should be 
accomplished.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 11, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-145-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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-145-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted 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 & Logistics Centers, 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 Aircraft Certification Office, One 
Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Peters, Program Manager, Program 
Management and Services Branch, ACE-118A, 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

[[Page 20761]]

for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action 
on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-145-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-145-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On October 8, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-20-03, amendment 39-8710 
(58 FR 60775, November 18, 1993), applicable to all Lockheed Model L-
1011 series airplanes, to require the implementation of a corrosion 
prevention and control program either by accomplishing specific tasks 
or by revising the maintenance inspection program to include such a 
program. That action was prompted by reports of incidents involving 
corrosion and fatigue cracking in transport category airplanes that 
were approaching or had exceeded their economic design goal; those 
incidents jeopardized the airworthiness of the affected airplanes. The 
actions of that AD are intended to prevent degradation of the 
structural capabilities of the airplane due to the problems associated 
with corrosion.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, Lockheed has issued ``Corrosion 
Prevention and Control Program (CPCP),'' Report No. LR 31889, Revision 
D, dated August 15, 1999. This document revises the minimum procedures 
for preventing and controlling corrosion problems that may jeopardize 
continuing airworthiness of the L-1011 fleet. A Baseline Program that 
was developed by the L-1011 Airworthiness Assurance Task Force (AATF) 
Structures Working Group, is included in the document for use by 
operators who do not have a proven effective program. A mandatory 
reporting system is also included. Reported data and other relevant 
information will continue to be reviewed annually by an Industry 
Working Group.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved Revision D of the CPCP, Report 
No. LR 31889, which describes procedures for, among other things, 
removing and visually inspecting the landing gear attachment bushings 
for corrosion; visually inspecting the upper wing access hole flanges 
and dip stick hole bushings on the lower wing for corrosion; visually 
inspecting the structural interior adjacent to the ``S'' duct for 
corrosion, and visually inspecting the horizontal stabilizer pivot 
bearing for corrosion. Accomplishment of the actions specified in 
Revision D of the CPCP Report, or a revision of the maintenance 
inspection program per Revision D, 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 supersede AD 93-20-03 to continue to require the 
visual inspections and repair of certain structures, if necessary, or a 
revision of the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program. This 
proposal would require accomplishment of various visual inspections for 
corrosion of certain structures, and repair, if necessary; or 
incorporation of Revision D of the Corrosion Prevention and Control 
Program, dated August 15, 1999, into the FAA-approved maintenance 
inspection program. Specific visual inspection and repair procedures 
have been described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 187 Lockheed Model L-1011 series 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.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 93-20-03 take 
approximately 20 work hours per inspection to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $140,400, or $1,200 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The new visual inspections proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately 249 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,747,980, or $14,940 per airplane.
    If an operator chooses to accomplish the proposed revision to the 
maintenance inspection program, it would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,020, or 
$60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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

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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 39-8710 (58 FR 
60775, November 18, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Lockheed:  Docket 2000-NM-145-AD. Supersedes AD 93-20-03, Amendment 
39-8710.

    Applicability: All Model L-1011 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 (k) 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 structural failure of the airplane due to corrosion, 
accomplish the following:

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 93-20-03

    Note 2: This AD references Lockheed Document Number LR 31889, 
``Corrosion Prevention and Control Program, TriStar L-1011,'' dated 
March 15, 1991, including ``Errata Sheet, LR 31889, Corrosion 
Prevention and Control Program, TriStar L-1011,'' issued September 
29, 1992, and Revision D, dated August 15, 1999 (hereafter, those 
publications are referred to as ``the Document''), for corrosion 
tasks, definitions of corrosion levels, compliance times, and 
reporting requirements. In addition, this AD specifies inspection 
and reporting requirements beyond those included in the Document. 
Where there are differences between the AD and the Document, the AD 
prevails.


    Note 3: As used throughout this AD, the term ``the FAA'' is 
defined differently for different operators, as follows: For those 
operators complying with paragraph (a) or (c) of this AD, ``the 
FAA'' is defined as ``the Manager of the Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO).'' For those operators operating under 14 
CFR part 121 or 129, and complying with paragraph (b) or (d) of this 
AD, ``the FAA'' is defined as ``the cognizant Maintenance Inspector 
at the appropriate FAA Flight Standards office.''

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this AD, complete 
each of the corrosion tasks specified in Section 4 of the Document 
in accordance with the procedures of the Document, and the schedule 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. Corrosion task 
numbers C-32-710-01 (nose landing gear) and C-32-730-01 (main 
landing gear, left and right) are not required to be accomplished as 
part of this AD.

    Note 4: A ``corrosion task,'' as defined in Section 4 of the 
Document, includes inspections; procedures for a corrective action, 
including repairs, under identified circumstances; application of 
corrosion inhibitors; and other follow-on actions.


    Note 5: Corrosion tasks completed in accordance with the 
Document before the effective date of this AD may be credited for 
compliance with the initial corrosion task requirements of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this AD.


    Note 6: Where non-destructive inspection (NDI) methods are 
employed, in accordance with Section 4 of the Document, the 
standards and procedures used must be acceptable to the 
Administrator in accordance with 14 CFR part 43.13.

    (1) Complete the initial corrosion task of each ``airplane 
area'' specified in Section 4 of the Document as follows:
    (i) For airplane areas that have not yet exceeded the 
``implementation age'' (IA) for a corrosion task as of one year 
after December 17, 1993 (the effective date of AD 93-20-03, 
amendment 39-8710): Initial compliance must occur no later than the 
IA plus the repeat (R) interval.
    (ii) For airplane areas that have exceeded the IA for a 
particular corrosion task, as of one year after December 17, 1993: 
Initial compliance must occur within one R interval for that task, 
measured from a date one year after December 17, 1993.
    (iii) For airplanes that have reached or exceeded 20 years after 
the date of manufacture as of one year after December 17, 1993: 
Initial compliance must occur for each corrosion task within one R 
interval for that task, but not to exceed 6 years, measured from a 
date one year after December 17, 1993, whichever occurs first.
    (iv) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), or 
(a)(1)(iii) of this AD, for airplane areas that exceed the IA for 
that area, the operator must accomplish the initial corrosion task 
for each such area at a minimum rate equivalent to one such area per 
year, beginning one year after December 17, 1993.

    Note 7: This paragraph does not require inspection of any area 
that has not exceeded the IA for that area.


    Note 8: This minimum rate requirement may cause an undue 
hardship on some small operators. In those circumstances, requests 
for adjustments to the implementation rate will be evaluated on a 
case-by-case basis under the provisions of paragraph (h) of this AD.

    (2) Repeat each corrosion task at a time interval not to exceed 
the R interval specified in the Document for that task.
    (b) As an alternative to the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this AD: Prior to one year after December 17, 1993, revise the FAA-
approved maintenance inspection program to include the corrosion 
prevention and control program specified in the Document; or to 
include an equivalent program that is approved by the FAA. In all 
cases, the initial corrosion task for each airplane area must be 
completed in accordance with the compliance schedule specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD. Corrosion task numbers C-32-710-01 
(nose landing gear) and C-32-730-01 (main landing gear, left and 
right) are not required to be accomplished as part of this AD.
    (1) Any operator complying with paragraph (b) of this AD may use 
an alternative recordkeeping method to that otherwise required by 14 
CFR part 91.417 or part 121.380 for the actions required by this AD, 
provided it is approved by the FAA and is included in a revision to 
the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program.
    (2) Subsequent to the accomplishment of the initial corrosion 
task, extensions of R intervals specified in the Document must be 
approved by the FAA.

New Requirements of This AD

    (c) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this AD, within 5 
years after the effective date of this AD: Complete each of the 
corrosion tasks at the times specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), 
(c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD in accordance with the procedures 
specified in the Document. (Corrosion tasks number C-32-710-01 (nose 
landing gear) and C-32-730-01 (main landing gear, left and right) 
are not required to be accomplished as part of this AD.)

    Note 9: A ``corrosion task,'' as defined in Section 4 of the 
Document, includes inspections; procedures for a corrective action, 
including repairs, under identified circumstances; application of 
corrosion inhibitors; and other follow-on actions.


    Note 10: Corrosion tasks completed in accordance with the 
Document before the effective date of this AD may be credited for 
compliance with the initial corrosion task requirements of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this AD.


    Note 11: Where non-destructive inspection (NDI) methods are 
employed, in accordance with Section 4 of the Document, the

[[Page 20763]]

standards and procedures used must be acceptable to the 
Administrator in accordance with FAR Section 43.13.

    (1) Accomplish corrosion tasks C-55-320-05 and C-55-330-05, per 
Revision D of the Document. Thereafter, accomplish these corrosion 
tasks at intervals not to exceed 5 years.
    (2) Accomplish corrosion task C-57-540-02, per Revision D of the 
Document. Thereafter, accomplish this corrosion task at intervals 
not to exceed 5 years.
    (3) Accomplish corrosion task C-57-530-04, per Revision D of the 
Document. Thereafter, accomplish this corrosion task at intervals 
not to exceed 5 years.
    (4) Accomplish corrosion task C-53-310-03, per Revision D of the 
Document. Thereafter, accomplish this corrosion task at intervals 
not to exceed 10 years.

Inspection of the Horizontal Stabilizer

    (d) Within 15 years time-in-service or 5 years after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Conduct a free-
play inspection of the horizontal stabilizer pivot bearing, 
disassemble ALL horizontal stabilizer pivot bearing assemblies, and 
perform a detailed visual inspection of the pivot bearing assembly 
components to detect corrosion, in accordance with the procedures 
specified in Task C-55-350-01 of Revision D of the Document. 
Thereafter, repeat this inspection at intervals not to exceed 5 
years.

    Note 12: This paragraph does not require inspection of any area 
that has not exceeded the IA for that area.


    Note 13: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Acceptable Alternative Compliance With Certain Requirements

    (e) As an alternative to the requirements of paragraph (c) and 
(d) of this AD: Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate and 
implement Revision D of Lockheed Document Number LR 31889, 
``Corrosion and Protection Control Program, TriStar L-1011'', dated 
August 15, 1999.

Accommodating Scheduling Requirements

    (f) To accommodate unanticipated scheduling requirements of 
paragraph (c) or (d) of this AD, it is acceptable for an R interval 
to be increased by up to 10%, but not to exceed 6 months. The FAA 
must be informed, in writing, of any such extension within 30 days 
after such adjustment of the schedule.
    (g)(1) If, during any inspection conducted in accordance with 
this AD, Level 3 corrosion is determined to exist in any airplane 
area, accomplish the actions specified in either paragraph (g)(1)(i) 
or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD within 7 days after such determination. 
Information collection requirements contained in this regulation 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
    (i) Submit a report of that determination to the FAA and 
complete the corrosion task in the affected areas on all Model L-
1011 series airplanes in the operator's fleet; or
    (ii) Submit to the FAA for approval one of the following:
    (A) A proposed schedule for performing the corrosion tasks in 
the affected areas on the remaining Model L-1011 series airplanes in 
the operator's fleet, which is adequate to ensure that any other 
Level 3 corrosion is detected in a timely manner, along with 
substantiating data for that schedule; or
    (B) Data substantiating that the Level 3 corrosion found is an 
isolated occurrence.

    Note 14: Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 of the 
Document, which would permit corrosion that otherwise meets the 
definition of Level 3 corrosion (i.e., which is determined to be a 
potentially urgent airworthiness concern requiring expeditious 
action) to be treated as Level 1 if the operator finds that it ``can 
be attributed to an event not typical of the operator's usage of 
other airplanes in the same fleet,'' this paragraph requires that 
data substantiating any such finding be submitted to the FAA for 
approval.

    (2) The FAA may impose schedules other than those proposed, upon 
finding that such changes are necessary to ensure that any other 
Level 3 corrosion is detected in a timely manner.
    (3) Within the time schedule approved under paragraph (g)(1) or 
(g)(2) of this AD, accomplish the corrosion tasks in the affected 
areas of the remaining Model L-1011 series airplanes in the 
operators' fleet.
    (h) If, as a result of any inspection after an initial 
inspection conducted in accordance with the requirements of this AD, 
it is determined that corrosion findings exceed Level 1 in any area, 
within 60 days after such determination, implement a means, approved 
by the FAA, to reduce future findings of corrosion in that area to 
Level 1 or better.
    (i) Before any operator places into service any airplane subject 
to the requirements of this AD, a schedule for the accomplishment of 
corrosion tasks required by this AD must be established in 
accordance with paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable:
    (1) For airplanes previously maintained in accordance with this 
AD, the first corrosion task in each airplane area to be performed 
by the new operator must be accomplished in accordance with the 
previous operator's schedule or with the new operator's schedule, 
whichever would result in the earlier accomplishment date for that 
task. After each corrosion task has been performed once, each 
subsequent task must be performed in accordance with the new 
operator's schedule.
    (2) For airplanes that have not been previously maintained in 
accordance with this AD, the first corrosion task for each airplane 
area to be performed by the new operator must be accomplished prior 
to further flight or in accordance with a schedule approved by the 
FAA.
    (j) Reports of Level 2 and Level 3 corrosion must be submitted 
at least quarterly to Lockheed Aeronautical Systems in accordance 
with Section 5 of Revision 4 of the Document.

    Note 15: Reporting of Level 2 and Level 3 corrosion found as a 
result of any opportunity inspections is highly desirable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (k) 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 16: 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

    (l) 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 April 18, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10181 Filed 4-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P