[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74010-74012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30822]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 74010]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1258; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-184-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 60 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted 
by two incidents of swapped fire extinguishing wires. This proposed AD 
would require inspecting the electrical leads routed to the fire 
extinguishing containers for proper identification and missing labels, 
and to ensure the electrical leads are connected to the correct squibs; 
and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent the extinguishing agent of the fire extinguishing container 
from being delivered to the wrong engine in the event of an engine 
fire, and a consequent uncontrolled fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 17, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942; telephone 
(316) 946-2000; fax (316) 946-2220; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Galstad, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4135; fax: 
(316) 946-4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1258; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-184-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received a report of two incidents of swapped left and right 
fire extinguishing wires. Due to the locations of the forward and aft 
squibs of the fire extinguishing containers, it is possible to reverse 
the electrical wiring between the left and right squibs. Incorrect wire 
labeling and improper wiring of the squibs could cause the 
extinguishing agent of the fire extinguishing container to be delivered 
to the wrong engine in the event of an engine fire. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in an uncontrolled fire.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 60-26-4, dated May 2, 2011. 
The service information describes procedures for inspecting the 
electrical leads routed to the fire extinguishing containers for proper 
identification and missing labels, and to ensure the electrical leads 
are connected to the correct squibs; and corrective actions if 
necessary. The corrective actions include correcting wiring labels with 
a permanent marker or replacing the labels with new heat shrink tubing 
or heat rated tape and identifying them properly, and correcting the 
wire routing.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 232 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 74011]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour               0            $255         $59,160
                                      = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modification 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
this modification:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corrective actions.........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...              $8             $93
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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, 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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

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

Learjet Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2011-1258; Directorate Identifier 2011-
NM-184-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 17, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, serial numbers 60-002 through 60-366 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2620, Extinguishing system.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by two incidents of swapped fire 
extinguishing wires, which could cause the extinguishing agent of 
the fire extinguishing container to be delivered to the wrong engine 
in the event of an engine fire, and a consequent uncontrolled fire. 
We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 300 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or 
at the next auxiliary power unit (APU) removal, whichever occurs 
first: Inspect the electrical leads routed to the fire extinguishing 
containers for proper identification and missing labels, and to 
ensure the electrical leads are connected to the correct squibs, as 
specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 60-26-4, dated May 2, 2011. 
Do the inspection in accordance with paragraph 3., ``Accomplishment 
Instructions,'' of Bombardier Service Bulletin 60-26-4, dated May 2, 
2011. If any misidentification is found, or if any label is missing, 
or if the electrical leads are not connected to the correct squibs, 
as specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 60-26-4, dated May 2, 
2011: Before further flight, do all applicable corrective actions, 
in accordance with paragraph 3., ``Accomplishment Instructions,'' of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 60-26-4, dated May 2, 2011.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager

[[Page 74012]]

of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact James Galstad, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-
116W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 
946-4135; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942; 
telephone (316) 946-2000; fax (316) 946-2220; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 22, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-30822 Filed 11-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P