98-31319. Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-188A and L-188C Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 65045-65047]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-31319]
    
    
    
    [[Page 65045]]
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 98-NM-84-AD; Amendment 39-10911; AD 98-24-25]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-188A and L-188C Series 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to all Lockheed Model L-188A and L-188C series airplanes, 
    that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide the 
    flightcrew with modified procedures and limitations for operating in 
    icing conditions. This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents 
    involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines that experienced 
    tailplane stall due to ice accretion on the horizontal stabilizer of 
    the airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
    undetected accretion of ice on the horizontal stabilizer, which could 
    result in ice contaminated tailplane stall and consequent loss of pitch 
    control.
    
    DATES: Effective December 30, 1998.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of December 30, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company (LASSC), 
    Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, 
    Smyrna, Georgia 30080. This information may be examined at the Federal 
    Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
    Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small 
    Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown 
    Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the 
    Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
    700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Small Airplane 
    Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
    1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30337-2748; 
    telephone (770) 703-6063; fax (770) 703-6097.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to all Lockheed Model L-188A and L-
    188C series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 
    13, 1998 (63 FR 43340). That action proposed to require revising the 
    Airplane Flight Manual to provide the flightcrew with modified 
    procedures and limitations for operating in icing conditions.
    
    Comments
    
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the single comment received.
        The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    
    Conclusion
    
        After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
    noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
    interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        There are approximately 75 airplanes of the affected design in the 
    worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 32 airplanes of U.S. registry 
    will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
    hour per airplane to accomplish the required incorporation of the AFM 
    revisions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
    on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
    estimated to be $1,920, or $60 per airplane.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
    action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
    future if this AD were not adopted.
    
    Regulatory Impact
    
        The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
    effects 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. Therefore, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
    ADDRESSES.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
    reference, Safety.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
    the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
    
    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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    98-24-25  Lockheed: Amendment 39-10911. Docket 98-NM-84-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model L-188A and L-188C series airplanes, 
    certificated in any category.
    
        Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
    preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
    modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
    requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
    altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
    this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
    alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
    this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
    the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
    addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
    eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
    address it.
    
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent undetected accretion of ice on the horizontal 
    stabilizer, which could result in ice contaminated tailplane stall 
    and consequent loss of pitch control, accomplish the following:
    
    [[Page 65046]]
    
        (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
    the Limitations, Normal Procedures, and Performance Sections and 
    Appendix III of the FAA-approved Electra 188A or 188C Airplane 
    Flight Manual (AFM), as applicable, to include the pages specified 
    in Table 1 (for Model L-188A series airplanes), Table 2 (for Model 
    L-188C series airplanes not equipped with Hamilton Standard 
    propellers), or Table 3 (for Model L-188C series airplanes equipped 
    with Hamilton Standard propellers) of this AD, as applicable.
    
                    Table 1.--Revisions to the Electra 188A AFM for all Model L-188A series airplanes
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Section  number                       Section           Page  number        Date shown on page
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........              i    March 10, 1998.
    Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........             ii    March 10, 1998.
    1.........................................  Limitations...........              6    December 1, 1997.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             10.1  December 1, 1997.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             11    March 10, 1998.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             12    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........              A    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........              6    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........              8    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........             12    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........             12.1  December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........             12.2  December 1, 1997.
    Appendix III..............................  Alt. Flap Data........              B    December 1, 1997.
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        Table 2.--Revisions to the Electra 188C AFM for Model L-188C series airplanes not equipped with Hamilton
                                                   Standard propellers
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                  Section  number                       Section           Page  number        Date shown on page
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........              i    March 10, 1998.
    Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........             ii    March 10, 1998.
    1.........................................  Limitations...........              6    December 1, 1997.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             12.1  December 1, 1997.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             13    March 10, 1998
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             14    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........              A    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........              6    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........              8    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........             12    December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........             12.1  December 1, 1997.
    4.........................................  Performance...........             12.2  December 1, 1997.
    Appendix III..............................  Alt. Flap Data........              B    December 1, 1997.
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        Table 3.--Revisions to the Electra 188C AFM for Model L-188C series airplanes not equipped with Hamilton
                                                   Standard propellers
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                  Section  number                       Section           Page  number        Date shown on page
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........              i    March 10, 1998.
    Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........             ii    March 10, 1998.
    1.........................................  Limitations...........              6    December 1, 1997.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             12.1  December 1, 1997.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             13    March 10, 1998.
    3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             14    December 1, 1997.
    A4........................................  Performance...........              A    December 1, 1997.
    A4........................................  Performance...........              6    December 1, 1997.
    A4........................................  Performance...........              8    December 1, 1997.
    A4........................................  Performance...........             12    December 1, 1997.
    A4........................................  Performance...........             12.1  December 1, 1997.
    A4........................................  Performance...........             12.2  December 1, 1997.
    Appendix AIII.............................  Alt. Flap Data........              B    December 1, 1997.
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        (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
    used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
    Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
    submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
    Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
    Manager, Atlanta ACO.
    
        Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
        (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
    sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
    the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    
    [[Page 65047]]
    
        (d) The AFM revisions shall be done in accordance with the 
    following Lockheed Airplane Flight Manuals, which contain the 
    specified list of effective pages:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airplane flight manuals        Page  number       Date shown on page
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Electra Model 188A..........  Log of Pages........  March 10, 1998.
    March 10, 1998..............  Pages i through Jii
    Electra Model 188C..........  Log of Pages........  March 10, 1998.
    March 10, 1998..............  Pages i through Lii
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
    the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
    part 51. Copies may be obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems 
    Support Company (LASSC), Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 
    0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080. Copies may be 
    inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
    Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane 
    Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown 
    Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at 
    the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 30, 1998.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 1998.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-31319 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
12/30/1998
Published:
11/25/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-31319
Dates:
Effective December 30, 1998.
Pages:
65045-65047 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-NM-84-AD, Amendment 39-10911, AD 98-24-25
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-31319.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13