[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4196-4199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01145]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0581; Product Identifier 2019-NM-067-AD; Amendment
39-21019; AD 2019-25-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed
Martin Aeronautics Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model
382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes, type certificated in any
category; and Model C-130A, C-130B, C-130BL, C-130E, C-130H, C-130H-30,
C-130J, C-130J-30, EC-130Q, HC-130H, KC-130H, NC-130B, NC-130, and WC-
130H airplanes, type certificated in the restricted or amateur
category. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that two elevator
booster assemblies experienced significant hydraulic fluid leaks,
caused by fatigue cracks in the actuator cylinder. This AD requires an
inspection to determine the part number of the elevator booster
actuator, repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the actuator to detect
cracking, and replacement of cracked elevator booster assemblies. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 28, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 28,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Company, Customer Support Center, Dept. 3E1M, Zone 0591, 86 S Cobb
Drive, Marietta, GA 30063; telephone 770-494-9131; email
[email protected]; internet https://www.Lockheedmartin.com. You
may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0581.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0581; 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: Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5587; fax: 404-474-5606;
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Lockheed Martin
Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E,
382F, and 382G airplanes, type certificated in any category; and Model
C-130A, C-130B, C-130BL, C-130E, C-130H, C-130H-30, C-130J, C-130J-30,
EC-130Q, HC-130H, KC-130H, NC-130B, NC-130, and WC-130H airplanes, type
certificated in the restricted or amateur category. The NPRM published
in the Federal Register on July 31, 2019 (84 FR 37165). The NPRM was
prompted by a report indicating that two elevator booster assemblies
experienced significant hydraulic fluid leaks, caused by fatigue cracks
in the actuator cylinder. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to
determine the part number of the elevator booster actuator, repetitive
ultrasonic inspections of the actuator to detect cracking, and
replacement of cracked elevator booster assemblies.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of a dual
failure of the left and right actuator cylinders in the elevator
booster assembly, which could lead to a significant reduction in
controllability of the airplane.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Lynden Air Cargo, LLC stated that it concurred in concept and that
the proposed AD would enhance safety.
Request To Clarify Actions for Spare Parts
Lynden Air Cargo, LLC requested clarification whether the
ultrasonic inspection procedures in the proposed AD can also be
accomplished for off-airplane spare elevator booster actuators. The
commenter noted that the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 1, dated
January 17, 2018, state to do the inspection while the elevator booster
actuators are installed on the airplane. The commenter asked that, if
the inspection cannot be done off-airplane, alternative inspection
procedures be provided.
The FAA agrees to clarify. Lockheed has issued Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated
October 3, 2019. This service information has been revised to clarify
that the same inspection procedures can be accomplished with the
elevator booster actuators either on or off the airplane. The FAA has
revised this AD to refer to the latest service information and to
provide credit for actions that were accomplished using Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 1, dated
January 17, 2018.
Request To Correct Exception Language
Lynden Air Cargo, LLC requested that paragraph (h) of the proposed
AD be revised to refer to flight hours, rather than flight cycles. The
commenter noted that all other references for compliance time in the
proposed AD and the service information refer to flight hours.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request. The NPRM inadvertently
referred to flight cycles rather than flight hours in the location
noted. Since paragraph (h) of this AD is a compliance time exception
for certain airplanes, revising the language will not adversely affect
safety, but will allow operators to use this exception. This final rule
has been revised accordingly.
[[Page 4197]]
Additional Changes Made to This Final Rule
The affected airplane models were originally manufactured by
Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, but
are currently operating as type certificated airplanes in any category,
including restricted and amateur category airplanes with a variety of
type certificate holders. The FAA has revised the SUMMARY, the
Discussion section, and paragraph (c) of this AD to clarify that the
affected airplanes are certificated in different categories. The FAA
has also revised paragraph (c) of this AD to refer to the current type
certificate holders.
The FAA has also revised the manufacturer contact information in
the ADDRESSES section and paragraph (m)(3) of this AD. The website
provided in the NPRM is no longer valid.
The proposed AD inadvertently referred to Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 82-833, Revision 1, dated January
17, 2018. That service information is only applicable for airplanes
operated by the U.S. military, and is not applicable for the airplanes
identified in this AD. The FAA revised this AD to remove all references
to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 82-833,
Revision 1, dated January 17, 2018.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously
and minor editorial changes. The FAA 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.
The FAA has also determined that these changes will not increase
the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service
Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019. This service
information describes procedures for an inspection to determine the
part number of the elevator booster actuator, repetitive ultrasonic
inspections of the elevator booster actuator at the forward-most end to
detect cracking along the fluid transfer bore, left and right
cylinders, and replacement of cracked elevator booster assemblies. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 7 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Part number inspection........... 1 work-hour x $85 $0 $85................. $595.
per hour = $85.
Ultrasonic inspections........... 5 work-hours x $85 0 $425 per inspection $2,975 per
per hour = $425 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspections. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement................................... 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $43,000 $43,850
$850.
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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.
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 transport category airplanes and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
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, and
[[Page 4198]]
(2) 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2019-25-20 Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Company: Amendment 39-21019; Docket No. FAA-2019-0581; Product
Identifier 2019-NM-067-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective February 28, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed
Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G
airplanes, type certificated in any category; and Model C-130A, C-
130B, C-130BL, C-130E, C-130H, C-130H-30, C-130J, C-130J-30, EC-
130Q, HC-130H, KC-130H, NC-130B, NC-130, and WC-130H airplanes, type
certificated in the restricted or amateur category. The restricted
and amateur category airplanes were originally manufactured by
Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company;
current type certificate holders include, but are not limited to,
those specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this AD.
(1) LeSEA Model C-130A airplanes, Type Certificate Data Sheet
(TCDS) A34SO, Revision 1.
(2) T.B.M, Inc., (transferred from Central Air Services, Inc.)
Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A39CE, Revision 3.
(3) Western International Aviation, Inc., Model C-130A
airplanes, TCDS A33NM.
(4) USDA Forest Service Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A15NM,
Revision 4.
(5) Snow Aviation International, Inc., Model C-130A, TCDS TQ3CH,
Revision 1.
(6) Heavylift Helicopter, Inc. (transferred from Hemet Valley
Flying Service), Model C-130A, TCDS A31NM, Revision 1.
(7) Heavylift Helicopters, Inc., Model C-130B, TCDS A35NM,
Revision 1.
(8) Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Inc., Model HP-C-130A, TCDS
A30NM, Revision 1.
(9) Coulson Aviation (USA), Inc., Model EC-130Q, TCDS T00019LA,
Revision 2.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report indicating that two elevator
booster assemblies experienced significant hydraulic fluid leaks,
caused by fatigue cracks in the actuator cylinder. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the possibility of a dual failure of the
left and right actuator cylinders in the elevator booster assembly,
which could lead to a significant reduction in controllability of
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Part Number Inspection, Repetitive Ultrasonic Inspections, and
Replacement
(1) On any elevator booster assembly having a part number
374461-5, 374461-7, or 374461-11, before the accumulation of 4,000
total flight hours on the elevator booster assembly, or within 180
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do an inspection of
the elevator booster assembly to determine the part number of the
elevator booster actuator. If the elevator booster actuator has a
part number other than 5C5803, no further action is required by this
AD.
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, any elevator booster actuator having part number 5C5803 is
found, before the accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours on the
elevator booster assembly, or within 180 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, except as required by
paragraph (h) of this AD: Do an ultrasonic inspection of the
elevator booster actuator at the forward-most end to detect cracking
along the fluid transfer bore, left and right cylinders, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated
October 3, 2019. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not
to exceed 1,400 flight hours.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of
this AD, any cracking is found, before further flight: Replace the
elevator booster assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin
382-27-51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019.
(h) Compliance Time Exception
For any elevator booster assembly having part number 374461-5,
374461-7, or 374461-11 on which the total flight hours are unknown,
do the inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD,
as applicable, within 180 days after the effective date of this AD.
(i) No Reporting and No Return of Parts
(1) Although Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service
Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019, specifies to
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
(2) Although Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service
Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019, specifies to
return parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require the
return of the parts to the manufacturer.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Service Bulletin 382-27-51, dated July 17, 2017; or Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-51, Revision 1, dated
January 17, 2018.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Atlanta 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (l)(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 Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER) that
has been authorized by the Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Hector
Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA,
Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337;
phone: 404-474-5587; fax: 404-474-5606; email:
[email protected].
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this
[[Page 4199]]
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.
(i) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Service Bulletin 382-27-
51, Revision 2, dated October 3, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company,
Customer Support Center, Dept. 3E1M, Zone 0591, 86 S Cobb Drive,
Marietta, GA 30063; telephone 770-494-9131; email
[email protected]; internet https://www.Lockheedmartin.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195.
(5) 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on December 31, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-01145 Filed 1-23-20; 8:45 am]
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