95-4253. Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011-385 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 9796-9799]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-4253]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 94-NM-254-AD]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011-385 Series 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
    
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    SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series 
    airplanes. This proposal would require modifications of various fluid 
    drainage areas of the fuselage. This proposal is prompted by incidents 
    involving corrosion and fatigue cracking in transport category 
    airplanes that are approaching or have exceeded their economic design 
    goal; these incidents have jeopardized the airworthiness of the 
    affected airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
    intended to prevent degradation of the structural capabilities of the 
    affected airplanes due to problems associated with corrosion.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received by April 17, 1995.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
    Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-254-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
    Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
    location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
    Federal holidays.
        The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
    obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company, Field 
    Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, 
    Georgia 30080. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
    Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 
    the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane 
    Directorate, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, 
    College Park, Georgia.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Flight Test Branch, 
    ACE-160A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane 
    Directorate, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-160, 
    College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; telephone (404) 305-7367; fax (404) 
    305-7348.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Comments Invited
    
        Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
    proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
    they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
    and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
    communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
    specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
    proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
    light of the comments received.
        Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
    economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
    comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
    date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
    persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
    the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
        Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
    submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
    stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
    to Docket Number 94-NM-254-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
    returned to the commenter.
    
    Availability of NPRMs
    
        Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
    to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
    Docket No. 94-NM-254-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
    98055-4056.
    
    Discussion
    
        In April 1988, a high-cycle transport category airplane 
    (specifically, a Boeing Model 737) was involved in an accident in which 
    the airplane suffered major structural damage during flight. 
    [[Page 9797]] Investigation of this accident revealed that the airplane 
    had numerous fatigue cracks and a great deal of corrosion. Subsequent 
    inspections conducted by the operator on other high-cycle transport 
    category airplanes in its fleet revealed that other airplanes had 
    extensive fatigue cracking and corrosion.
        Prompted by the data gained from this accident, the FAA sponsored a 
    conference on aging airplanes in June 1988, which was attended by 
    representatives from the aviation industry and airworthiness 
    authorities from around the world. It became obvious that, because of 
    the tremendous increase in air travel, the relatively slow pace of new 
    airplane production, and the apparent economic feasibility of operating 
    older technology airplanes rather than retiring them, increased 
    attention needed to be focused on the aging airplane fleet and 
    maintaining its continued operational safety.
        The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America and the Aerospace 
    Industries Association (AIA) of America agreed to undertake the task of 
    identifying and implementing procedures to ensure the continued 
    structural airworthiness of aging transport category airplanes. An 
    Airworthiness Assurance Working Group (AAWG) was established initially 
    in August 1988, with members representing aircraft manufacturers, 
    operators, regulatory authorities, and other aviation industry 
    representatives worldwide. The objective of the AAWG was to sponsor 
    ``Task Groups'' to:
        1. select service bulletins, applicable to each airplane model in 
    the transport fleet, to be recommended for mandatory modification of 
    aging airplanes;
        2. develop corrosion-directed inspections and prevention programs;
        3. review the adequacy of each operator's structural maintenance 
    program;
        4. review and update the Supplemental Inspection Documents (SID); 
    and
        5. assess repair quality.
        The L-1011 Structures Task Group, which was assigned by the AAWG to 
    review the Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series airplanes, completed its 
    work on Item 2 in 1991 and developed a baseline program for controlling 
    corrosion problems that may jeopardize the continued airworthiness of 
    the Model L-1011 fleet. The program is contained Lockheed Document 
    Number LR 31889, ``Corrosion Prevention and Control Program, TriStar L-
    1011,'' dated March 15, 1991.
        The FAA reviewed and approved that Document and, on October 8, 
    1993, issued AD 93-20-03, amendment 39-8710 (58 FR 60775, November 18, 
    1993), which is applicable to all Lockheed Model L-1011 series 
    airplanes. That AD requires the implementation of a corrosion 
    prevention and control program (CPCP), comparable to the one outlined 
    in the Lockheed Document, either by accomplishing specific tasks or by 
    revising the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program to include 
    such a program.
    
    Current Service Information
    
        Since issuance of AD 93-20-03, the FAA has reviewed and approved 
    Revision A of Lockheed Document Number LR 31889, ``Corrosion Prevention 
    and Control Program, TriStar L-1011,'' dated April 1994. This revision 
    of the Lockheed Document contains Section 7.2, which lists twelve 
    Lockheed service bulletins that have been recommended for mandatory 
    action by the L-1011 Structures Task Group.
        The twelve Lockheed service bulletins recommended by the Task Group 
    describe various modifications, installations, and inspections of the 
    fuselage and wings that are intended to decrease the airplane's 
    susceptibility to corrosion in specific areas. The pertinent Lockheed 
    service bulletins are:
        1. Service Bulletin 093-51-007, Revision 5, dated December 20, 
    1973, describes procedures for modifying the afterbody-emennage-wing 
    area to improve drainage capability.
        2. Service Bulletin 093-53-061, Revision 1, dated June 20, 1974, 
    describes procedures for modifying the drainage provisions at the 
    surround structure of the C-1, C-2, and C-3 cargo doors.
        3. Service Bulletin 093-53-068, dated October 23, 1974, describes 
    procedures for installing a drain at the C-1A cargo door sill.
        4. Service Bulletin 093-53-095, Revision 2, dated June 22, 1987, 
    describes procedures for installing additional provisions for drainage 
    at the pressure deck of the nose landing gear.
        5. Service Bulletin 093-53-113, dated November 12, 1975, describes 
    procedures for a modifying the area of the stringers at Fuselage 
    Station (FS) 1792 to improve fluid drainage.
        6. Service Bulletin 093-53-157, dated May 3, 1977, describes 
    procedures for inspecting and modifying the sealing and drainage 
    provisions at the aft pressure bulkhead.
        7. Service Bulletin 093-53-186, Revision 3, dated June 11, 1991, 
    describes procedures for the installing additional drainage provisions 
    in the fuselage drain system.
        8. Service Bulletin 093-53-192, Revision 2, dated December 9, 1981, 
    describes procedures for modifying the fuselage drain system.
        9. Service Bulletin 093-53-204, Revision 1, dated March 26, 1984, 
    describes procedures for modifying the door sill drain and cargo 
    compartment beam at the galley and door compartments.
        10. Service Bulletin 093-53-234, Revision 2, dated November 12, 
    1992, describes procedures for modifying the galley door sill area to 
    improve corrosion resistance.
        11. Service Bulletin 093-57-089, Revision 1, dated October 4, 1976, 
    describes procedures for installing drain provisions and a dam in the 
    main landing gear torque box.
        12. Service Bulletin 093-57-138, Revision 1, dated July 17, 1981, 
    and Change Note, dated September 3, 1982, describe procedures for 
    inspecting the lower surface bolts at wing body line (WBL) 115.95 to 
    detect corrosion, and necessary modification.
        The FAA has considered the recommendation of the Task Group and 
    concurs with it. The FAA has determined that accomplishment of the 
    actions specified in the twelve Lockheed service bulletins will 
    contribute to positively addressing the unsafe condition presented by 
    the problems associated with corrosion.
    
    Proposed Requirements of AD
    
        Since corrosion is likely to exist or develop on airplanes of this 
    type design, an AD is proposed which would require the accomplishment 
    of the modification, installation, and other actions specified in the 
    twelve Lockheed service bulletins described previously.
        Although the proposed AD would be a rulemaking action completely 
    separate from AD 93-20-03, the compliance schedule for the 
    accomplishment of the proposed actions would be consistent with that 
    for the corrosion inspections (tasks) currently required by AD 93-20-
    03. The initial corrosion tasks required by AD 93-20-03 must be 
    accomplished within various intervals of time, depending on what 
    ``airplane zone'' is involved; the intervals are measured from a date 
    one year after the effective date of that AD. Accordingly, since the 
    effective date of AD 93-20-03 is ``December 17, 1993,'' the schedule 
    for the actions currently required by that AD is measured from December 
    17, 1994.
        This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the proposed 
    modifications, installations, and [[Page 9798]] inspections at the same 
    time that the initial corrosion task in the corresponding airplane zone 
    is required by AD 93-20-03. Scheduling the proposed actions at the same 
    time as the currently-required corrosion tasks will minimize additional 
    work for affected operators by allowing them to perform all actions 
    concurrently. This also will eliminate the necessity of operators 
    having to gain access to subject areas more than once.
        Additionally, certain of the modifications described in the twelve 
    Lockheed service bulletins were incorporated previously on some 
    airplanes during production. For such cases, no additional work would 
    be required by this proposed AD.
    
    Economic Impact Information
    
        There are approximately 241 Model L-1011-385 series airplanes of 
    the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 117 
    airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. It 
    would take approximately 236 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
    proposed actions, including time to gain access and close up. The 
    average labor rate is currently $60 per work hour. Based on these 
    figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
    estimated to be $1,656,720, or $14,160 per airplane.
        The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
    assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
    requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
    those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, as 
    indicated previously, some airplanes that would be subject to the 
    proposed AD were modified during production to incorporate certain of 
    the proposed modifications and installations. In light of this, the 
    total cost impact of this proposal would be considerably less that the 
    figure discussed above.
        Additionally, the number of required work hours for the proposed 
    requirements of this AD, as indicated above, is presented as if the 
    accomplishment of those actions were to be conducted as ``stand alone'' 
    actions. However, in actual practice, these actions would be 
    accomplished coincidentally or in combination with actions currently 
    required by AD 93-20-03. Therefore, the actual number of necessary 
    ``additional'' work hours will be minimal for the majority of affected 
    operators.
    
    Regulatory Impact
    
        The regulations proposed herein would 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 
    proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
    the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
    and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
    regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
    Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
    Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
    
    The Proposed Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
    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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
    106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    
    Lockheed: Docket 94-NM-254-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model L-1011-385 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 use the authority 
    provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
    approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
    eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
    address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
    should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
    configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
    case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
    remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent structural failure due to the problems associated 
    with corrosion accomplish the following:
        (a) Accomplish the modifications, installations, and inspections 
    described in the Lockheed service bulletins listed in Section 7.2 of 
    Lockheed Document Number LR 31889, ``Corrosion Prevention and 
    Control Program, TriStar L-1011,'' Revision A, dated April 1994 
    (hereafter referred to as ``the Document''), in accordance with the 
    following schedule:
    
        Note 2: Airplanes on which the modifications, installations, and 
    inspections required by this paragraph have been accomplished prior 
    to the effective date of this AD or during production are considered 
    to be in compliance with this paragraph.
        Note 3: Airplanes on which the modifications, installations, and 
    inspections required by this paragraph have been accomplished 
    previously in accordance with an earlier version of the applicable 
    service bulletin listed in Section 7.2 of the Document, are 
    considered to be in compliance with this paragraph.
        Note 4: ``Airplane zones,'' ``implementation ages,'' and 
    ``repeat intervals,'' as referred to in this paragraph, are 
    specified in Section 4.3 of the Document.
    
        (1) For modifications, installations, and inspections located in 
    an airplane zone that has not yet exceeded the ``implementation 
    age'' (IA) for that zone as of December 17, 1994 (one year after the 
    effective date of AD 93-20-03, amendment 39-8710): Compliance is 
    required no later than the IA plus the repeat (R) interval for the 
    applicable zone.
        (2) For modifications, installations, and inspections located in 
    an airplane zone that has exceeded the IA for that zone as December 
    17, 1994: Compliance is required within one R interval for that 
    zone, measured from December 17, 1994.
        (3) For airplanes that are 20 years old or older as of December 
    17, 1994: Accomplishment of the modifications, installation, and 
    inspections is required within one R interval for the applicable 
    airplane zone, but not to exceed 6 years, measured from December 17, 
    1994, whichever occurs first.
        (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), ACE-115A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators 
    shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
    Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
    Manager, Atlanta ACO.
    
        Note 5: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
    
        [[Page 9799]] (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.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 1995.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 95-4253 Filed 2-21-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/22/1995
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
95-4253
Dates:
Comments must be received by April 17, 1995.
Pages:
9796-9799 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 94-NM-254-AD
PDF File:
95-4253.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13