[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45068-45071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18427]



[[Page 45068]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0046; Product Identifier 2018-CE-040-AD; Amendment 
39-19721; AD 2019-17-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Learjet, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-11-09 
for certain Learjet, Inc. (Learjet), Model 60 airplanes. AD 2017-11-09 
required a one-time fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the 
fuselage skin for corrosion, additional related inspections and 
corrective actions as necessary, and reporting the inspection results 
to the FAA. This AD clarifies the compliance time for the inspection 
and corrects an error in the inspection area of the fuselage skin. This 
AD was prompted by the identification of an error in the fluorescent 
dye penetrant inspection of the fuselage skin and an ambiguity in the 
compliance time for the fluorescent dye penetrant inspection. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 2, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 22, 2017 
(82 FR 18084, April 17, 2017).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 view this service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation 
Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It 
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0046.

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-2019-
0046; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Shawn, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: (316) 946-4141; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: 
[email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2017-11-09, Amendment 39-18908 (82 FR 
24462, May 30, 2017) (``AD 2017-11-09''). AD 2017-11-09 applied to 
certain serial-numbered Learjet Model 60 airplanes with either a 
dorsal-mounted oxygen bottle or with a retained oxygen line fairing 
installed on top of the fuselage after removing the dorsal-mounted 
oxygen bottle. AD 2017-11-09 required a one-time fluorescent dye 
penetrant inspection of the fuselage skin for corrosion and reporting 
the results of the inspection to the FAA. AD 2017-11-09 resulted from 
an evaluation by the design approval holder that indicated the upper 
fuselage skin under the aft oxygen line fairing is subject to multi-
site damage. The FAA issued AD 2017-11-09 to detect and correct 
corrosion of the fuselage skin, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.
    AD 2017-11-09 superseded AD 2017-08-07, Amendment 39-18856 (82 FR 
18084, April 17, 2017) (``2017-08-07''). AD 2017-11-09 retained all of 
the actions of AD 2017-08-07 but revised the applicability to include 
only those airplanes with a dorsal-mounted oxygen bottle or airplanes 
with a retained the oxygen line fairing installed on top of the 
fuselage after removing the dorsal-mounted oxygen bottle. AD 2017-11-09 
was prompted by the FAA's determination that only certain airplanes 
listed in the applicability of AD 2017-08-07 were affected by the 
unsafe condition.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2019 (84 
FR 2793). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA's identification of an error 
in the area of the fluorescent dye penetrant inspection requirement. AD 
2017-11-09 required a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the fuselage 
skin between stringer (S)-2L and S-2R. Bombardier Learjet 60 Service 
Bulletin (SB) 60-53-19, Revision 3, dated August 29, 2016, specifies 
inspecting only out to the fairing end caps, which is a smaller area.
    The FAA also identified an ambiguity in the compliance time for the 
inspection of the fuselage skin. Paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of AD 
2017-11-09 do not specify that the date used for compliance is either 
the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or the 
date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, 
whichever date is earlier.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to correct the error of the inspection 
area and clarify the compliance times for the fluorescent dye penetrant 
inspection of the fuselage skin. The actions of this AD will detect and 
correct corrosion of the fuselage skin, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. It has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Bombardier Learjet 60 Service Bulletin (SB) 60-53-
19, Revision 3, dated August 29, 2016. This service information was 
previously approved for incorporation by reference in AD 2017-08-07 and 
retained in AD 2017-11-09. The service information describes procedures 
for inspections of the fuselage crown skin for corrosion and, as 
necessary, related investigative inspections and corrective actions. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

[[Page 45069]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 284 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Inspection (retained action from AD     46 work-hours x $85 per             $265          $4,175      $1,185,700
 2017-11-09).                            hour = $3,910.
Reporting (retained action from AD      1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85          24,140
 2017-11-09).                            hour = $85.
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    This AD adds no additional economic burden. The FAA has not 
received definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates 
for the on-condition actions specified in this AD. According to the 
manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under 
warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The 
FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a 
result, it has included all known costs in the cost estimate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing the collection of 
information. All responses to this collection of information are 
mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 
76177-1524.

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.
    The FAA is 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-11-09, Amendment 39-18908 (82 FR 24462, May 30, 2017), and adding 
the following new AD:

2019-17-01 Learjet, Inc.: Amendment 39-19721; Docket No. FAA-2019-
0046; Product Identifier 2018-CE-040-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 2, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-11-09, Amendment 39-18908 (82 FR 24462, 
May 30, 2017) (``AD 2017-11-09'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Learjet, Inc., Model 60 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, having serial numbers 60-002 through 
60-430 inclusive, and having a configuration identified in paragraph 
(c)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (1) Airplanes with a dorsal-mounted oxygen bottle.
    (2) Airplanes that have had the dorsal mounted oxygen bottle 
removed but have retained the oxygen line fairing installed on top 
of the fuselage.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

[[Page 45070]]

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder indicating that the upper fuselage skin under the aft oxygen 
line fairing is subject to multi-site damage. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the fuselage skin, 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) Inspection of the Fuselage Skin, Related Investigative Inspections, 
and Corrective Actions

    At the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) through (3) of this AD, do the fluorescent dye penetrant 
inspection of the fuselage skin for corrosion. Before further 
flight, do all related investigative and corrective actions. Follow 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Learjet 60 Service 
Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 3, dated August 29, 2016, (SB 60-53-19, 
Revision 3) except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (1) As of May 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-08-07, 
Amendment 39-18856 (82 FR 18084, April 17, 2017) (``2017-08-07''), 
which was superseded by AD 2017-11-09), any airplanes with more than 
12 years since the date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or the date of issuance of the original export 
certificate of airworthiness, whichever date is earlier: Inspect 
within 12 months after May 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-
08-07, which was superseded by 2017-11-09).
    (2) As of May 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-08-07, 
which was superseded by AD 2017-11-09), any airplanes with more than 
6 years but equal to or less than 12 years since the date of 
issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or the date of 
issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, 
whichever date is earlier: Inspect within 24 months after May 22, 
2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-08-07, which was superseded by 
AD 2017-11-09).
    (3) As of May 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-08-07, 
which was superseded by AD 2017-11-09), any airplanes with 6 years 
or less since the date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or the date of issuance of the original export 
certificate of airworthiness, whichever date is earlier: Inspect 
within 36 months after May 22, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-
08-07, which was superseded by AD 2017-11-09).

(h) Retained Service Information Exception, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2017-11-09, with no changes. Where SB 60-53-19, Revision 3, 
specifies contacting Learjet, Inc., for appropriate action: Before 
further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with 
the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

(i) Retained Reporting, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2017-11-09, with no changes. At the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of the 
findings (both positive and negative) of the inspection required by 
the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD to: [email protected]; or Ann Johnson, Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, 
Wichita, KS 67209. The report must include the name of the owner, 
the address of the owner, the name of the organization incorporating 
Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, the date that inspection was 
completed, the name of the person submitting the report, the 
address, telephone number, and email of the person submitting the 
report, the airplane serial number, the total time (flight hours) on 
the airplane, the total number of landings on the airplane, whether 
corrosion was detected, whether corrosion was repaired, the 
structural repair manual (SRM) chapter and revision used (if 
repaired), and whether corrosion exceeded the minimum thickness 
specified in Bombardier Learjet 60 SB 60-53-19 (and specify the SRM 
chapter and revision, if used as an aid to determine minimum 
thickness).
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after May 22, 2017 (the 
effective date of AD 2017-08-07, which was superseded by AD 2017-11-
09): Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before May 22, 2017 (the 
effective date of AD 2017-08-07, which was superseded by AD 2017-11-
09): Submit the report within 30 days after May 22, 2017 (the 
effective date of AD 2017-08-07, which was superseded by AD 2017-11-
09).

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This AD allows credit for the actions required in the 
introductory text of paragraph (g) if completed before the effective 
date of this AD using the Accomplishment Instructions in Learjet 60 
SB 60-53-19, dated November 23, 2015; Learjet 60 SB 60-53-19 
Revision 1, dated April 4, 2016; or Learjet 60 SB 60-53-19 Revision 
2, dated April 18, 2016.

(k) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, 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 Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (m)(1) 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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by a Learjet, Inc., Designated Engineering 
Representative (DER), or a Unit Member (UM) of the Learjet 
Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), that has been 
authorized by the Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, to make those 
findings. To be approved, the repair, modification deviation, or 
alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the 
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2017-08-07 or AD 2017-11-09 
are approved for the corresponding requirements in paragraph (g) of 
this AD.

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tara Shawn, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4141; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: [email protected] or [email protected].

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 22, 2017, (82 FR 18084, April 17, 2017).
    (i) Bombardier Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 3, 
dated August 29, 2016.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call

[[Page 45071]]

202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 20, 2019.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation 
Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2019-18427 Filed 8-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P