[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40291-40293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17265]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0651; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 45 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 the
products listed above. This proposed AD would require revising the
maintenance program to incorporate life limits for the main landing
gear (MLG) actuator end cap. This proposed AD was prompted by a report
of the potential for fatigue cracking of the end cap of the MLG prior
to the published life limitation. We are proposing this AD to prevent
fatigue cracking of the end cap of the MLG, which could result in the
failure of the MLG actuator upon landing, and failure of the MLG to
extend or retract during flight.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 22, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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; e-mail [email protected];
Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may
[[Page 40292]]
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: Paul Chapman, Aerospace Engineer,
Aviation Safety, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office,
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209;
phone: 316-946-4152; fax: 316-946-4107; e-mail: [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-2011-0651;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-041-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 from Learjet that indicated the life
limitation of the main landing gear actuator was determined using
fatigue testing during the Model 45 certification; however, the
supplier discovered they had not tested the actuator properly during
subsequent testing for another application. Learjet identified the
potential for fatigue cracking of the end cap of the main landing gear
actuator prior to the published life limitation. This potential for
fatigue cracking, if not corrected, could result in failure of the main
landing gear actuator upon landing, and failure of the MLG to extend or
retract during flight.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Learjet 40 Temporary Revision 4-23, dated January 24,
2011, to Learjet 40 Maintenance Manual MM-105; and Learjet 45 Temporary
Revision 4-34, dated January 24, 2011, to Learjet 45 Maintenance Manual
MM-104. Among other things, the Airworthiness Limitations sections
contained in Learjet 40 Temporary Revision 4-23 and Learjet 45
Temporary Revision 4-34 provide new life limits and replacement
compliance times for the MLG actuator end cap.
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 these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to
incorporate life limits for the MLG actuator end cap.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 351 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Revise maintenance plan............ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 per revision..... $29,835
hour = $85 per
revision.
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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:
[[Page 40293]]
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-2011-0651; Directorate Identifier 2011-
NM-041-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by August 22, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes,
certificated in any category; all serial numbers.
Note 1: This 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 these actions, 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 paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the
continued operational safety of the airplane.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing
Gear.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by a report of the potential for
fatigue cracking of the end cap of the main landing gear (MLG) prior
to the published life limitation. We are issuing this AD to prevent
fatigue cracking of the end cap of the MLG, which could result in
the failure of the MLG actuator upon landing, and failure of the MLG
to extend or retract during flight.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Maintenance Program Revision
(g) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the maintenance program by incorporating IRN T3220105 (Main Landing
Gear Actuator End Cap (P/N 200-0303)) as specified in Learjet 40
Temporary Revision 4-23, dated January 24, 2011, to Learjet 40
Maintenance Manual MM-105; or Learjet 45 Temporary Revision 4-34,
dated January 24, 2011, to Learjet 45 Maintenance Manual MM-104; as
applicable. The initial compliance for the replacement specified in
IRN T3220105 is prior to the accumulation of 2,387 total flight
cycles on the end cap (P/N 200-0303), or within 25 flight cycles
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
No Alternative Actions or Intervals
(h) After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g)
of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., replacements) or
intervals, may be used, unless the actions or intervals are approved
as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically
reference this AD.
Related Information
(j) For more information about this AD, contact Paul Chapman,
Aerospace Engineer, Aviation Safety, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4152; fax: 316-946-4107;
e-mail: [email protected].
(k) 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; e-mail
[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 June 29, 2011.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-17265 Filed 7-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P