[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20954-20956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10342]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-369-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 to revise an existing airworthiness

[[Page 20955]]

directive (AD), applicable to all Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series 
airplanes, that currently requires modifications of the engine turbine 
cooling air panel at the flight engineer/second officer's console, 
pilot's caution and warning light panel on the main instrument panel, 
and monitoring system for the engine turbine air temperature. That AD 
was prompted by reports of an undetected fire breaching the high speed 
gearbox (HSGB) case on certain Rolls Royce engines installed on in-
service airplanes due to lack of an internal fire detection system 
within the HSGB. The actions specified by that AD are intended to 
prevent undetected fires originating within the HSGB from breaching the 
HSGB case, which could result in engine damage and increased difficulty 
in extinguishing a fire. This action would remove certain airplanes 
from the applicability of the existing AD.

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-369-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-369-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 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 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, 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 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-369-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-369-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On August 24, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-17-10, amendment 39-
11884 (65 FR 53157, September 1, 2000), applicable to all Lockheed 
Model L-1011-385 series airplanes, to require modifications of the 
engine turbine cooling air panel at the flight engineer/second 
officer's console, pilot's caution and warning light panel on the main 
instrument panel, and monitoring system for the engine turbine air 
temperature. That action was prompted by reports of an undetected fire 
breaching the high speed gearbox (HSGB) case on certain Rolls Royce 
engines installed on in-service airplanes due to lack of an internal 
fire detection system within the HSGB. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent undetected fires originating within the HSGB from 
breaching the HSGB case, which could result in engine damage and 
increased difficulty in extinguishing a fire.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA notes that one of the Rolls 
Royce service bulletins that was referenced in a note in AD 2000-17-10 
is effective only for Rolls Royce RB211-524 series engines and does not 
include procedures for Rolls Royce RB211-22B series engines. Therefore, 
there is insufficient guidance for operators of Lockheed Model L-1011-
385 series airplanes on which Rolls Royce RB211-22B series engines are 
installed to accomplish the requirements specified in AD 2000-17-10.
    In order to continue addressing the unsafe condition of Model L-
1011-385 series airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce Model RB211-524 
series engines, we are proposing this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) revision to reduce the applicability by changing it from ``all 
Model L-1011-385 series airplanes,'' to apply only to Model L-1011-385 
series airplanes equipped with Rolls Royce Model RB211-524 series 
engines.
    The manufacturer has advised the FAA that it is in the process of 
developing a Rolls Royce RB211-22B service bulletin similar to the 
bulletin specified for Rolls Royce Model RB211-524 series engines. We 
may consider further rulemaking for Model L-1011-385 series airplanes 
equipped with Rolls Royce Model RB211-22B series engines, when the new 
service bulletin is developed, issued, and approved by the FAA.
    Additionally, the FAA has removed paragraph (b) of AD 2000-17-10 
that specifies that, ``no person shall install on any airplane, an 
engine turbine cooling air panel assembly, part number 1559672, or a 
pilot's caution and warning light panel assembly on the main instrument 
panel, unless it has been modified in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (a)(2) of this AD.'' We note that it is only necessary to require 
the installation of the updated caution and warning light panel 
assembly and to prohibit installation of

[[Page 20956]]

the engine turbine cooling air panel assembly, part number 1559672, 
after installation of the monitoring system for the engine turbine air 
temperature has been accomplished. Since the compliance time for 
installation of the engine turbine air temperature is not until 24 
months after the effective date of the AD, it is unnecessary to specify 
the requirements of paragraph (b) of AD-2000-17-10.

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 revise AD 2000-17-10 by reducing the applicability of 
that AD to specify only Model L-1011-385 series airplanes equipped with 
Rolls Royce Model RB211-524 series engines. As previously explained, we 
have not retained paragraph (b) of the existing AD in this proposed 
rule.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 54 Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 29 Model L-1011-385 series airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
8 work hours per engine (3 engines per airplane) to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $6,320 per engine, or $18,960 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $591,600 or $20,400 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. 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 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 39-11884 (65 FR 
53157, September 1, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Lockheed: Docket 2000-NM-369-AD. Revises AD 2000-17-10, Amendment 
39-11884.

    Applicability: Model L-1011-385 series airplanes equipped with 
Rolls Royce Model RB211-524 series engines, 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 undetected fires originating within the high speed 
gearbox (HSGB) from breaching the HSGB case, which could result in 
engine damage and increased difficulty in extinguishing a fire, 
accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2000-17-10

Modification

    (a) Within 24 months after October 6, 2000 (the effective date 
of AD 2000-17-10, amendment 39-11884), accomplish the actions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD, in 
accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-77-059, dated February 
25, 1998; or Revision 1, dated February 2, 1999.
    (1) Modify the engine turbine cooling air panel at the flight 
engineer/second officer's console.
    (2) Modify the pilot's caution and warning light panel on the 
main instrument panel.
    (3) Modify the monitoring system for the engine turbine air 
temperature.

    Note 2: Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-77-059 refers to Rolls 
Royce Service Bulletins RB.211-72-C178, dated March 20, 1998; and 
RB.211-77-C144, dated August 7, 1998; as additional sources of 
service information for accomplishment of the modification of the 
monitoring system for the engine turbine air temperature.

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 Aircraft 
Certification Office (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 April 19, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10342 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
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