[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 32 (Thursday, February 16, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9166-9169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3618]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0107; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-018-AD;
Amendment 39-16955; AD 2012-03-51]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airplanes Originally Manufactured by
Lockheed for the Military as P2V Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
airplanes originally manufactured by Lockheed for the military as P2V
airplanes. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S.
owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD requires cleaning of
the forward lower spar cap between wing stations 40 and 84.5 (right and
left), and doing a detailed inspection for cracks, working fasteners,
and other anomalies, including surface damage in the form of a nick,
gouge, or corrosion; and repairing if necessary. This AD was prompted
by a report of a significant crack in the principle wing structure. We
are issuing this AD to detect and
[[Page 9167]]
correct cracks, working fasteners, and other anomalies in the principle
wing structure, which could cause significant loss of structural
integrity of the wing.
DATES: This AD is effective March 2, 2012 to all persons except those
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2012-
03-51, issued on February 6, 2012, which contained the requirements of
this amendment.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 2, 2012.
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations Office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations 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: Roger Caldwell, Aerospace Engineer,
Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 26805 East 68th Avenue,
Denver, CO 80249; phone: 303-342-1086; fax: 303-342-1088; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On February 6, 2012, we issued Emergency AD 2012-03-51, which
requires cleaning of the forward lower spar cap between wing stations
40 and 84.5 (right and left), and doing a detailed inspection for
cracks, working fasteners, and other anomalies, including surface
damage in the form of a nick, gouge, or corrosion; and repairing if
necessary. That AD also requires sending inspection results (both
positive and negative) to the FAA. This AD was prompted by a report of
a significant crack in the principle wing structure on a Neptune
Aviation Service, Inc. Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplane. A crack
approximately 24 inches long was found in the left side wing front spar
and lower skin just outboard of the fuselage side of wing station 40.
The crack propagated through the wing front spar web, lower chord, and
wing lower skin through stringer No. 22 and aft to stringer No. 21. The
cause of the cracking is unknown at this time. This condition, if not
detected and corrected, could result in significant loss of structural
integrity of the wing.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires cleaning of the forward lower spar cap between
wing stations 40 and 84.5 (right and left), and doing a detailed
inspection for cracks, working fasteners, and other anomalies,
including surface damage in the form of a nick, gouge, or corrosion;
and repairing if necessary. This AD also requires sending inspection
results (both positive and negative) to the FAA.
Interim Action
We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later
identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of a
report of a significant crack in the principle wing structure on a
Neptune Aviation Service, Inc. Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplane. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in significant
loss of structural integrity of the wing. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than
30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0107 and
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-018-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspection Up to 80 work- $100 Up to $6,900........... Up to $262,200.
hours x $85 per
hour = $6,800.
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No definitive data are available for repair costs at this time.
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.
[[Page 9168]]
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
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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
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):
2012-03-51 Lockheed (Original Manufacturer): Amendment 39-16955;
Docket No. FAA-2012-0107; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-018-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 2, 2012 to all persons except those
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD
2012-03-51, issued on February 6, 2012, which contained the
requirements of this amendment.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all of the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), (c)(6), and (c)(7) of this
AD, certificated in any category:
(1) Aero Union Corporation Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplanes;
(2) Central Air Service, Inc. Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplanes;
(3) Evergreen Air Center Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplanes;
(4) Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc. Model HP-P2V-7 airplanes;
(5) Minden Air Corp Model SP-2H (P2V-7) airplanes;
(6) Neptune Aviation Service, Inc. Model SP-2H (P2V-7)
airplanes; and
(7) USDA Forest Service (type certificate previously held by
U.S. Department of Agriculture) Model P2V-5F (SP-2E) airplanes.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a significant crack in the
principle wing structure on a Neptune Aviation Service, Inc. Model
SP-2H (P2V-7) airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracks, working fasteners, and other anomalies in the principle wing
structure, which could cause significant loss of structural
integrity of the wing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified.
(g) Inspections
Within one day after the effective date of this AD: Do the
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this
AD.
(1) Gain access to the wing spar box between wing stations 40
and 84.5 (right and left sides of the airplane) through an access
panel that allows for inspecting the forward lower spar cap assembly
and remove or reposition any internal fuel bladder assembly that
impedes access.
(2) Clean the exposed surface of the forward lower spar cap
between wing stations 40 and 84.5 (right and left), and do a
detailed inspection for cracks, working fasteners, and other
anomalies, including surface damage in the form of a nick, gouge, or
corrosion, of the forward lower spar cap between wing stations 40
and 84.5 (right and left).
(3) If any crack, working fastener, or other anomaly is found
during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD,
before further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved
by the Manager, Denver Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For
a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Denver ACO, as
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must
specifically refer to this AD.
(h) Definition
For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: ``An
intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly
to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an
intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and
elaborate procedures may be required.
(i) Reporting
Within 10 days after doing the inspection required by paragraph
(g) of this AD: Submit a report of the findings (both positive and
negative) of the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD to
the Denver ACO, FAA, Attention: Roger Caldwell, 26805 East 68th
Avenue, Denver, CO 80249; phone: 303-342-1086; fax: 303-342-1088; e-
mail: [email protected]. The report must include a detailed
figure or picture of all cracks and damage and the location,
orientation, and size of all cracks and damage. The report must also
include the airplane serial number, the number of landings and
flight hours on the airplane, and a description of how the airplane
is operated (e.g., firefighting, photography, etc.).
(j) 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 5 minutes 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.
(k) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199), are not allowed unless approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Denver 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,
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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.
(m) Related Information
For further information about this AD, contact: Roger Caldwell,
Aerospace Engineer, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 26805
East 68th Avenue, Denver, CO 80249; phone: 303-342-1086; fax: 303-
342-1088; e-mail: [email protected].
(n) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 9, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3618 Filed 2-15-12; 8:45 am]
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