[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18529-18531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07039]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 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.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 27, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 18529]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0213; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-207-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. 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 45 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted 
by a report that the fire barrier seal on the external baggage door 
does not seal the surrounding door structure due to incorrect 
positioning of the barrier. This proposed AD would require modifying 
the fire seal on the baggage door, including doing inspections of the 
fire seal for correct contact and corrective action if necessary. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent improper sealing of the baggage door, 
which could increase the risk of an uncontained fire in the baggage 
compartment.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 13, 2013.

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, KS 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: Adam Neubauer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; phone: 316-946-4156; 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-2013-0213; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-207-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 that the fire barrier seal on the external 
baggage door does not seal the surrounding door structure due to 
incorrect positioning of the barrier. Further investigation revealed 
that there is a deficiency in the original design of the door which 
does not allow correct positioning of the fire barrier seal against the 
baggage door opening. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
the increased risk of an uncontained fire in the baggage compartment.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletins 40-25-25 and 45-25-35, 
both Revision 3, both dated February 6, 2012. The service information 
describes procedures for modifying the fire barrier seal on the baggage 
door, including doing a general visual inspection of the fire seal for 
correct contact, and corrective actions if necessary. The modification 
includes, among other things, modifying the existing bracket assembly 
and installing an adjustable clip on the bracket. The corrective 
actions include adjusting the door clip and seal retainer and adjusting 
the seal.

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

[[Page 18530]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification........................  11 work-hours x $85 per            $453           $1,388         $474,696
                                       hour = $935.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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):

Learjet Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0213; Directorate Identifier 2012-
NM-207-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 13, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Learjet Model 45 airplanes, certificated in 
any category, serial numbers 45-002 through 45-380 inclusive, 45-382 
through 45-396 inclusive, 45-398 through 45-405 inclusive; and 45-
2001 through 45-2114 inclusive, 45-2116, 45-2118, 45-2120, 45-2122, 
and 45-2124 through 45-2126 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 25: Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the fire barrier seal on 
the external baggage door does not seal the surrounding door 
structure due to incorrect positioning of the barrier. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent improper sealing of the baggage door, 
which could increase the risk of an uncontained fire in the baggage 
compartment.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Within 300 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Modify the fire seal on the baggage door, including doing general 
visual inspections of the fire seal for correct contact and all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 40-25-25 or Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 45-25-35, both Revision 3, both dated February 6, 
2012, as applicable. Do all applicable corrective actions before 
further flight.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using: Bombardier Service Bulletin 40-25-
25, Revision 1, dated August 23, 2010, or Revision 2, dated February 
21, 2011; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 45-25-35, Revision 1, dated 
August 23, 2010, or Revision 2, dated February 21, 2011 (which are 
not incorporated by reference in this AD).

(i) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any 
part identified in paragraph 2.B., ``Identification Table,'' of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 40-25-25 or Bombardier Service Bulletin 
45-25-35, both Revision 3, both dated February 6, 2012, on any 
airplane, unless the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD 
are done concurrently with the installation.

(j) 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 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Adam Neubauer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4156; fax: 316-946-
4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, KS 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.


[[Page 18531]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 20, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07039 Filed 3-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P