[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3341-3343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-1073; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-039-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airplanes Originally Manufactured by 
Lockheed for the Military as P-3A and P3A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain airplanes, originally manufactured by Lockheed Martin 
Aeronautics Company for the military as P-3A or P3A airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the existing 
maintenance program must be revised to address fatigue cracking of the 
airplane. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate certain limitations. 
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 7, 2014.

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 
Avenger Aircraft and Services, 103 N. Main Street, Suite 106, 
Greenville, SC 29601-4833; telephone: (864) 232-8073; fax: (864) 232-
8074; email: [email protected]. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
1073; 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: George Garrido, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: (562) 
627-5357; fax: (562) 627-5210; 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-2013-1073; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-039-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 reviewed accident investigation reports involving other 
restricted category firefighting airplanes, specifically Model C-130 
and P2V airplanes. Previous accident investigations for these other 
firefighting airplanes revealed that the existing maintenance programs 
for airplanes operating under restricted category type certificate data 
sheets (TCDS) are not adequate to maintain the aircraft for continued 
safe operation. Therefore, we have determined that it is necessary to 
incorporate an airworthiness limitation section based on damage 
tolerance into the Model P-3A airplane maintenance

[[Page 3342]]

program to ensure continue safe operation in a restricted category. The 
adverse loading spectrum for the restricted category firefighting 
airplanes could result in fatigue cracking, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
    The initial Model P-3A inspection program was based on the navy 
usage (or baseline usage) as defined by the U.S. Navy. The new 
airworthiness limitations addressed in this proposed AD are separated 
into baseline usage and usage that includes aerial dispensing of 
liquids. For airplanes with combined baseline and aerial dispersion 
usage accumulated, the operator must determine the total remaining life 
and the total remaining hours or flights until inspection is due for 
the principle structural element (PSE) inspection requirements by 
combining the fatigue damage accumulated during the baseline and the 
aerial dispersion of liquids usage.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness 
Limitations Section--FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and 
Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), 
AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010, which describes 
airworthiness limitations that include structural inspection 
requirements.

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

    For Model P3A and P-3A airplanes, this proposed AD would require 
revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate airworthiness limitations of Avenger Aircraft and Services 
P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, 
Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing of 
Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010.
    This proposed AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with 
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have 
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed 
by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the 
actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 
14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative 
method of compliance according to the requirements of paragraph (j) of 
this proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes 
to the required actions that will ensure the continued damage tolerance 
of the affected structure.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 8 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
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Revise the maintenance or            1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85            $680
 inspection program.                  = $85.
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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):
Lockheed (Original Manufacturer): Docket No. FAA-2013-1073; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-039-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 7, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all P-3A or P3A airplanes, originally 
manufactured by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the 
military, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, 
certificated in any category:

[[Page 3343]]

    (1) Aero Union Corporation Model P3A airplanes; and
    (2) USDA Forest Service Model P-3A airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers; 
57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the existing 
maintenance or inspection program must be revised to address fatigue 
cracking of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance Program Revision

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
airworthiness limitations specified in Avenger Aircraft and Services 
P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS 
T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial 
Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 
2010.

(h) Compliance Times for Modifications, Replacements, and Inspections

    For the tasks specified in Part-I, Sections B. through E., of 
Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A 
Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, 
Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing 
of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010, the 
compliance times are specified in paragraphs (h)(i) through (h)(iv) 
of this AD. For airplanes with combined baseline and aerial 
dispensing usage accumulated, the total remaining life and the total 
remaining hours or flights until inspection is due for the principle 
structural element (PSE) inspection requirements is determined by 
combining the fatigue damage accumulated during the baseline and the 
aerial dispensing of liquids usage. The usage must be combined in 
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
    (i) For the baseline life limits, the compliance time is: At the 
applicable ``flight hours'' or ``flights,'' whichever occurs first, 
specified in Part-I, Section B, ``Life Limitations Baseline Usage,'' 
of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A 
Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, 
Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing 
of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010; or 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever 
occurs later.
    (ii) For the baseline principle structural limits (PSE) 
inspection requirements, the compliance time is: At the applicable 
``threshold interval hours'' or ``threshold interval flights'' since 
new, whichever occurs first, as specified in Tables C.1, C.2, and 
C.3, of Part-I, Section C, ``Principle Structural Element Inspection 
Requirements--Baseline Usage,'' of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger 
Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA 
TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage 
(Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, 
dated August 2, 2010; or within 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD; whichever occurs later. Where compliance times are 
specified as ``threshold interval hours,'' those compliance times 
are total flight hours. Where the compliance times are specified as 
``threshold interval flights,'' those compliance times are total 
flight cycles.
    (iii) For the aerial dispensing of liquids life limits, the 
compliance time is: At the applicable ``flight hours'' or 
``flights,'' whichever occurs first, specified in Part-I, Section D, 
``Life Limitations--Aerial Dispensing of Liquids Usage'' of 
Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger Aircraft and Services P3A 
Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, 
Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage (Includes Aerial Dispensing 
of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, dated August 2, 2010; or 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever 
occurs later.
    (iv) For the aerial dispensing of liquids PSE inspection 
requirements, the compliance time is: At the applicable ``threshold 
interval hours'' or threshold interval flights,'' whichever occurs 
first, as specified in Tables E.1, E2, and E.3, of Part-I, Section 
E, ``Principle Structural Element Inspection Requirements--Aerial 
Dispensing of Liquids Usage,'' of Procedure 01-00-005, of Avenger 
Aircraft and Services P3A Airworthiness Limitations Section--FAA 
TCDS A32NM & TCDS T00006LA, Forest and Wildlife Conservation Usage 
(Includes Aerial Dispensing of Liquids), AAS-ALS-07-001, Revision D, 
dated August 2, 2010; or within 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD; whichever occurs later.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), and/or 
intervals may be used unless the actions, and intervals are approved 
as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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 paragraph (k) 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 George Garrido, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
CA 90712-4137; phone: (562) 627-5357; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Avenger Aircraft and Services, 103 N. Main Street, Suite 106, 
Greenville, SC 29601-4833; telephone: (864) 232-8073; fax: (864) 
232-8074; email: [email protected]. You may view this 
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 January 9, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01010 Filed 1-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P