[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20062-20064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10756]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-125-AD; Amendment 39-10492; AD 98-08-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011-385 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-08-09 that was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Lockheed Model L-
1011-385 series airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires
revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit operation of
the fuel boost pumps when fuel quantities are below certain levels, and
to add new maintenance procedures for operating the airplane with an
inoperative fuel boost pump assembly or with an inoperative flight
station fuel quantity indicating system. This AD also requires the
installation of a placard on the engineer's fuel panel to advise the
maintenance crew that operation of the fuel boost pumps when less than
1,200 pounds of fuel are in the corresponding wing fuel tank is
prohibited. This action is prompted by reports of internal electrical
failures in the fuel boost pump of the wing fuel tanks that could
result in either electrical arcing or localized overheating. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such electrical
arcing or overheating, which could breech the protective housing of the
fuel boost pump and expose it to fuel vapors and fumes, and consequent
potential fire or explosion in the wing fuel tank.
DATES: Effective April 28, 1998, to all persons except those persons to
whom it was made immediately effective by emergency AD 98-08-09, issued
April 3, 1998, which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 22, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
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 30349; telephone
(770) 703-6063; fax (770) 703-6097.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 3, 1998, the FAA issued emergency
AD 98-08-09, which is applicable to certain Lockheed Model L-1011-385
series airplanes.
The FAA has received reports of internal electrical failures in the
fuel boost pump of the wing fuel tanks that could result in either
electrical arcing or localized overheating. Such electrical arcing or
overheating could burn a hole in the pump housing and the protective
housing of the fuel boost pump. If electrical arcing or overheating
breeches the protective housing and the fuel in the wing fuel tank is
at a sufficient level, the liquid fuel would prevent combustion.
However, if electrical arcing or overheating breeches the protective
housing of the fuel boost pump and the fuel level of the wing tank is
low enough to expose the protective housing to fuel vapors and fumes, a
potential fire or explosion could occur. The on-going investigation of
the internal electrical failures has not revealed the cause of the
failures as yet.
Explanation of Requirements of the Rule
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other airplanes of the same type design, the FAA issued emergency AD
98-08-09 to prevent a potential fire or explosion in the wing fuel tank
due to exposure of the fuel boost pump to fuel vapors and fumes. The AD
requires revision of the Limitations and Procedures Sections of the
FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit operation of the
fuel boost pumps when fuel quantities are below certain levels, and to
add new maintenance procedures for operating the airplane with an
inoperative fuel boost pump assembly or with an inoperative flight
station fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS). The
[[Page 20063]]
AD also requires the installation of a placard on the engineer's fuel
panel to advise the maintenance crew that operation of the fuel boost
pumps when less than 1,200 pounds of fuel are in the corresponding wing
fuel tank is prohibited.
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual notices
issued to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Lockheed Model
L-1011-385 series airplanes. These conditions still exist, and the AD
is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section
39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it
effective to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-125-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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:
98-08-09 Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company: Amendment 39-10492.
Docket 98-NM-125-AD.
Applicability: Model L-1011-385-1, -385-1-14, -385-1-15, and -
385-3 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 (c) 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 a potential fire or explosion in the wing fuel tank,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 50 flight hours or 10 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, revise the Limitations and
Procedures Sections of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
to include the following information. This may be accomplished by
inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
Add to Limitations Section:
``FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel Pumps
Do not operate the fuel boost pumps of the affected wing tank in
the air or on the ground when fuel quantities are less than the
following:
Wing tanks 1 and 3: Less than 1,200 lbs (545 kg) in each tank.
Wing tanks 2L and 2R: Less than 1,200 lbs (545 kg) total in the two
compartments (inboard and outboard) of each tank.
These quantities should be considered unusable fuel for the purposes
of fuel management.
When operating with a fuel boost pump assembly inoperative per
Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) item number 28-24-01, add the
following maintenance procedure:
Pull and collar the affected circuit breaker.
When operating with an inoperative flight station fuel quantity
indicating system per MMEL item 28-41-00, do not operate the fuel
boost pumps of the affected wing tank in the air or on the ground
when fuel quantities are less than the following:
Wing tanks 1 and 3: Less than 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg) in the affected
tank.
Wing tanks 2L and 2R: Less than 1,200 lbs (545 kg) total in the two
compartments (inboard and outboard) of the affected tank.''
Add to Procedures Section:
``FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel Pumps
If the circuit breaker for any wing tank fuel boost pump
(circuit breakers U3, U4, U7, U8, U9, U10, U13, U14) trips, do not
reset. If the pump trips while in flight, continue flight in
accordance with the procedures in the ``Tank Pumps LOW Lights On''
portion of the Procedures section of the AFM. If the breaker
[[Page 20064]]
trips while on the ground, do not reset without first identifying
the source of the electrical fault.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fuel Pumps
If the circuit breaker for any wing tank fuel boost pump
(circuit breakers U3, U4, U7, U8, U9, U10, U13, U14) trips, do not
reset. If the pump trips while in flight, continue flight in
accordance with the procedures in the ``Tank Pumps LOW Lights On''
portion of the Procedures section of the AFM. If the breaker trips
while on the ground, do not reset without first identifying the
source of the electrical fault.
''
(b) Within 50 flight hours or 10 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, install a placard on the
engineer's fuel panel that states:
``If FQIS is operative, do not operate the fuel boost pumps when
less than 1,200 pounds of fuel are in the corresponding wing
tanks.''
(c) 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
Maintenance 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.
(d) 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 28, 1998, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by emergency AD 98-08-09, issued on April 3, 1998, which
contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 16, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10756 Filed 4-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
