[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42950-42952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-326-AD; Amendment 39-13235; AD 2003-14-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 382G 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 certain Lockheed Model 382G series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive general visual inspections of certain bearings 
located in the emergency exit door for evidence of excessive wear; and 
repair of certain bearings, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspections. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the latch

[[Page 42951]]

mechanism, which could result in the inability to open the emergency 
exit door in an emergency. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 25, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics 
Company, Airworthiness Office, Dept. 6A0M , Zone 0252, Column P-58, 86 
S. Cobb Drive, Marietta, Georgia 30063. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One 
Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Herderich, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6082; fax (770) 703-
6097.

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 certain Lockheed Model 382G series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2003 (68 
FR 22644). That action proposed to require repetitive general visual 
inspections of certain bearings located in the emergency exit door for 
evidence of excessive wear; and repair of certain bearings, which would 
terminate the repetitive inspections.

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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Change in Labor Rate

    After the proposed AD was issued, we reviewed the figures we use to 
calculate the labor rate to do the required actions. To account for 
various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it 
appropriate to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from 
$60 per work hour to $65 per work hour. The economic impact 
information, below, has been revised to reflect this increase in the 
specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 10 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 16 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on the single U.S. operator is estimated to be 
$1,040.
    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. 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-14-16 Lockheed: Amendment 39-13235. Docket 2000-NM-326-AD.

    Applicability: Model 382G series airplanes, as listed in 
Hercules Service Bulletin 382-52-9, dated July 5, 2000; 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 failure of the latch mechanism located inside the 
emergency exit door, which could result in the inability to open the 
door in an emergency, accomplish the following:

[[Page 42952]]

Inspection

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a general visual inspection of bearings having part numbers (P/N) 
3326653-1 and 3326653-2 for evidence of a groove greater than 0.060 
inch deep. Perform the inspection per paragraph 2.A. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions specified in Hercules Service Bulletin 
382-52-9, dated July 5, 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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 evidence of a groove greater than 0.060-inch deep is not 
found: Repeat the inspection at 30-day intervals until 
accomplishment of the terminating action required by paragraph (b) 
of this AD.
    (2) If evidence of a groove greater than 0.060-inch deep is 
found: Before further flight, repair the bearings per paragraph (b) 
of this AD.

Repair

    (b) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Repair 
bearings having P/N 3326653-1 and P/N 3326653-2 per paragraph 2.B. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions specified in Hercules Service 
Bulletin 382-52-9, dated July 5, 2000. Accomplishment of this repair 
terminates the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Hercules 
Service Bulletin 382-52-9, dated July 5, 2000. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin 
Aeronautics Company, Airworthiness Office, Dept. 6A0M , Zone 0252, 
Column P-58, 86 S. Cobb Drive, Marietta, Georgia 30063. Copies may 
be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 25, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17771 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
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