Airworthiness Directives:

Federal Register Volume 76, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2011)

Proposed Rules

Pages 64851-64854

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

FR Doc No: 2011-27010

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2011-1069; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-025-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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 include new or more restrictive life-limits and inspections. This proposed AD was prompted by changes to the

Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the maintenance manual, which adds life-limits, revises life-limits, or adds inspections not previously identified. We are proposing this AD to limit exposure of flight critical components to corrosion, cracking, or failure due to life-limits, which if not corrected, could result in loss of roll control, fatigue cracking, or loss of structural components.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 5, 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; phone 316- 946-2000; fax 316-946-2220; e-mail ac.ict@aero.bombardier.com; Internet

Page 64852

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.

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: William Griffith, Aerospace Engineer,

Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4116; fax: 316-946-4107; e-mail:

William.E.Griffith@faa.gov.

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-2011-1069;

Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-025-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 have reviewed the design approval holder's changes to the ALS of the maintenance manual, which adds life-limits, revises life-limits, or adds inspections not previously identified. These changes resulted from the design holder's analysis, testing, and in-service history of certain components. We are proposing this AD to limit exposure of flight critical components to corrosion, cracking, or failure due to life-limits, which if not corrected, could result in loss of roll control, fatigue cracking, or loss of structural components. The corrective action is revising the maintenance program.

Relevant Service Information

We reviewed Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, of the

Bombardier Learjet 45 Maintenance Manual MM-104, Revision 53, dated

January 10, 2011; and Bombardier Learjet 40 Maintenance Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011. This service information describes component and system checks and replacements and includes new or revised life-limits and new inspections.

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

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 336 of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

Cost per

Cost on U.S.

Action

Labor cost

Parts cost

product

operators

Change ALS in maintenance manual.... 1 work-hour x $85 per

$0

$85

$28,560 hour = $85.

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 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Page 64853

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-2011-1069; Directorate Identifier 2011-

NM-025-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by December 5, 2011.

Affected ADs

(b) None

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes, certificated in any category.

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 inspections 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. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25.1529- 1A.

Subject

(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport

Association (ATA) of America Code 05: Periodic Inspections.

Unsafe Condition

(e) This AD was prompted by changes to the Airworthiness

Limitations Section (ALS) of the maintenance manual (MM), which adds life-limits, revises life-limits, or adds inspections not previously identified. We are issuing this AD to limit exposure of flight critical components to corrosion, cracking, or failure due to life- limits, which if not corrected, could result in loss of roll control, fatigue cracking, or loss of structural components.

Compliance

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

Maintenance Program Revision

(g) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating the applicable inspection reference number (IRN) tasks identified in table 1 of this AD as specified in Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, of the

Bombardier Learjet 45 Maintenance Manual MM-104, Revision 53, dated

January 10, 2011; or Bombardier Learjet 40 Maintenance Manual MM- 105, Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable. The initial task compliance time is within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, or the applicable initial compliance time specified in

Table 1 of this AD, whichever is later.

Note 2: IRN R2710041 shown in table 1 of this AD is identified as IRN N2710041 in prior revisions of

Bombardier Learjet 45 Maintenance Manual MM-104; and Bombardier

Learjet 40 Maintenance Manual MM-105.

Table 1--IRN Task Revision

Initial

Chapter 04 of

Model--

IRN --

compliance

these time--

documents--

Model 40, 45......... R2710041....... Within 10 years Bombardier after the date Learjet 45 of issuance of Maintenance the original

Manual MM-104, standard

Revision 53, airworthiness dated January certificate or 10, 2011; or the date of

Bombardier issuance of

Learjet 40 the original

Maintenance export

Manual MM-105, certificate of Revision 21, airworthiness, dated January or within 10

10, 2011; as years after

applicable. the most recent replacement, whichever occurs later.

Model 40, 45......... Q5510091....... Within 600

Bombardier flight hours

Learjet 45 after the most Maintenance recent

Manual MM-104, inspection

Revision 53, done in

dated January accordance

10, 2011; or with IRN

Bombardier

Learjet 40

Q5510091.

Maintenance

Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable.

Model 40, 45......... Q5530011....... Before the

Bombardier accumulation

Learjet 45 of 9,600 total Maintenance flight hours.

Manual MM-104,

Revision 53, dated January 10, 2011; or

Bombardier

Learjet 40

Maintenance

Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable.

Model 40, 45......... P3220007....... Within 48

Bombardier months after

Learjet 45 the most

Maintenance recent

Manual MM-104, inspection

Revision 53, done in

dated January accordance

10, 2011; or with IRN

Bombardier

Learjet 40

P3220007.

Maintenance

Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable.

Model 40, 45......... P3220146....... Before the

Bombardier accumulation

Learjet 45 of 4,800 total Maintenance landings.

Manual MM-104,

Revision 53, dated January 10, 2011; or

Bombardier

Learjet 40

Maintenance

Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable.

Model 40, 45......... N3220012,

Before the

Bombardier

N3220023,

accumulation

Learjet 45

N3220035,

of 10,000

Maintenance

N3220036, and total landings Manual MM-104,

N3220037.

on the

Revision 53, component.

dated January 10, 2011; or

Bombardier

Learjet 40

Maintenance

Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable.

Page 64854

Model 40, 45......... N3220103,

Before the

Bombardier

N3220104,

accumulation

Learjet 45

N3220105, and of 17,000

Maintenance

N3220106.

total landings Manual MM-104, on the

Revision 53, component.

dated January 10, 2011; or

Bombardier

Learjet 40

Maintenance

Manual MM-105,

Revision 21, dated January 10, 2011; as applicable.

Model 45............. N5710147,

Before the

Bombardier

N5710171, and accumulation

Learjet 45

N5710173.

of 6,500 total Maintenance flight hours.

Manual MM-104,

Revision 53, dated January 10, 2011.

Model 45............. N5710175....... Before the

Bombardier accumulation

Learjet 45 of 6,900 total Maintenance flight hours.

Manual MM-104,

Revision 53, dated January 10, 2011.

Model 45............. N5710177....... Before the

Bombardier accumulation

Learjet 45 of 7,000 total Maintenance flight hours.

Manual MM-104,

Revision 53, dated January 10, 2011.

No Alternative Intervals

(h) After accomplishing the revisions required by paragraphs (g) of this AD, no alternative IRN task or IRN task interval may be used unless the IRN task or IRN task interval is approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) 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.

Related Information

(j) For more information about this AD, contact William

Griffith, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA,

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,

Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 316-946-4116; fax: 316-946-4107; e-mail: William.E.Griffith@faa.gov.

(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 ac.ict@aero.bombardier.com; 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 October 5, 2011.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. 2011-27010 Filed 10-18-11; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P