[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38578-38580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12842]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20872; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-271-AD; 
Amendment 39-14173; AD 2005-13-36]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 
24C, 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 
31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), and 36 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 
24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-
21A), and 36 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the 
center ball of the aileron control cable or cables for a defective 
swage, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by a 
report indicating that an aileron cable failed on one affected airplane 
when the cable underwent a tension check. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent severe weakening of the aileron cable, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 
9, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20872; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-271-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hirt, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4156; fax (316) 
946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 
24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 
35, 35A (C-21A), and 36 airplanes. That action, published in the 
Federal Register on April 6, 2005 (70 FR 17349), proposed to require a 
one-time inspection of the center ball of the aileron control cable or 
cables for a defective swage, and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Service Bulletin References

    All references to ``Learjet Alert Service Bulletins'' have been 
changed to refer to ``Bombardier Alert Service Bulletins.'' This change 
more accurately reflects the published titles of these documents, and 
it is necessary to meet the Office of the Federal Register's guidelines 
for material incorporated by reference.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,704 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 1,136 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The inspection takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $73,840, or $65 per 
airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII,

[[Page 38579]]

part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under 
that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of 
civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-13-36 Learjet: Amendment 39-14173. Docket No. FAA-2005-20872; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-271-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Learjet Model 23, 24, 24A, 
24B, 24B-A, 24C, 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 
25D, 25F, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), and 36 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; as identified in the Bombardier alert 
service bulletins in Table 1 of this AD.

                                           Table 1.--Service Bulletins
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    Bombardier alert service bulletin                     Date                                Model
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A23/24/25-27-17.........................  December 23, 2002...................  23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24B-A, 24C,
                                                                                 24D, 24D-A, 24E, 24F, 24F-A,
                                                                                 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, and 25F
                                                                                 airplanes.
A28/29-27-24............................  December 23, 2002...................  28 and 29 airplanes.
A31-27-25...............................  December 23, 2002...................  31 and 31A airplanes.
A35/36-27-42............................  December 23, 2002...................  35, 35A (C-21A), and 36
                                                                                 airplanes.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that an aileron 
cable failed on one affected airplane when the cable underwent a 
tension check. We are issuing this AD to prevent severe weakening of 
the aileron cable, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.
    Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions 
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (f) Within 100 flight hours, or 90 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection of the 
center ball of the aileron control cable or cables for a defective 
swage, and before further flight, replace any damaged or defective 
cable with a new cable. Unless otherwise specified in this AD, do 
all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the applicable service bulletin in Table 1 of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an aileron control cable unless it has been 
inspected in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

No Reporting or Parts Return Requirement

    (h) Although the service bulletins in Table 1 of this AD have 
procedures for submitting a report showing compliance with the 
applicable service bulletin and for returning any discrepant parts 
to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the service information in Table 2 of this AD 
to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves 
the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service 
information, contact Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 
67209-2942. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of 
the service information, go to the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

              Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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    Bombardier alert service bulletins                  Date
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A23/24/25-27-17...........................  December 23, 2002.
A28/29-27-24..............................  December 23, 2002.
A31-27-25.................................  December 23, 2002.
A35/36-27-42..............................  December 23, 2002.
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[[Page 38580]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12842 Filed 7-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P