[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38941-38943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16514]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 7, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 38941]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0676; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-095-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 45 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes. This proposed AD would require
replacing aluminum fire extinguisher discharge tubes with new, improved
tubes; checking the fire extinguisher container for certain serial
numbers; replacing fire extinguisher containers that have affected
serial numbers; inspecting the pressure indicator on certain fire
extinguisher containers for discrepancies; and performing corrective
action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of
accidental discharge of a fire extinguisher container and damage to an
aluminum discharge tube. Investigation revealed that following the
discharge an inaccurate pressure indication, due to the indicator dial
being incorrectly staked, showed that the container was fully charged.
We are proposing this AD to prevent inaccurate pressure readings and
subsequent damage to the discharge tubes during operation, which could
result in failure of the fire extinguisher system and an uncontained
fire in an emergency situation.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 23, 2010.
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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; telephone
316-946-2000; fax 316-946-2220; e-mail [email protected];
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.
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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Galstad, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4135; fax (316)
946-4107.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0676;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-095-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 received a report of accidental discharge of a fire extinguisher
container and damage to an aluminum discharge tube. Investigation
revealed that following the discharge an inaccurate pressure
indication, due to the indicator dial being incorrectly staked, showed
that the container was fully charged. Inaccurate pressure readings, and
subsequent damage to the discharge tubes during operation, could result
in failure of the fire extinguisher system and an uncontained fire in
an emergency situation.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletins 40-26-05 and 45-26-9,
both Revision 2, both dated May 4, 2009. The service information
describes procedures for the following:
For all airplanes: Installing new o-rings and stainless
steel fire extinguisher discharge tubes and inspect the serial numbers
on the fire extinguisher containers to determine whether any serial
number is specified in Table 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of
the applicable service bulletin.
For airplanes on which no serial number is specified in
Table 1: Inspecting the pressure indicator on the fire extinguisher
container to ensure that the indicator dial is not loose and is staked
in the right location, and do a weight check of the fire extinguisher
container. If the indicator is loose or not staked in the right
location or if the weight check for any container fails, replacing the
affected container.
For airplanes on which any serial number is specified in
Table 1: Replacing the affected fire extinguisher container, and do a
weight check of the replaced containers. If the weight check for any
replacement container fails, replacing the affected container.
[[Page 38942]]
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 322 airplanes of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take 5 work-hours per
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85
per work-hour. Required parts cost would be minimal. Where the service
information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty,
we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do
not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may
incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be
$136,850, or $425 per product.
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), 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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:
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 AD:
Learjet Inc: Docket No. FAA-2010-0676; Directorate Identifier 2010-
NM-095-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by August 23, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes,
certificated in any category; as identified in Bombardier Service
Bulletins 40-26-05 and 45-26-9, both Revision 2, both dated May 4,
2009.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26: Fire
protection.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report of accidental discharge of a
fire extinguisher container and damage to an aluminum discharge
tube. Investigation revealed that following the discharge an
inaccurate pressure indication, due to the indicator dial being
incorrectly staked, showed that the container was fully charged. The
Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent
inaccurate pressure readings and subsequent damage to the discharge
tubes during operation, which could result in failure of the fire
extinguisher system and an uncontained fire in an emergency
situation.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Replacement, Check, Inspection, Corrective Action
(g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD:
Replace the aluminum fire extinguisher discharge tubes with new,
improved stainless steel tubes; check the fire extinguisher
container for any serial number specified in Table 1 of Bombardier
Service Bulletins 40-26-05 or 45-26-9, both Revision 2, both dated
May 4, 2009; as applicable; replace any containers that have
affected serial numbers, do a weight check of all containers,
including the replacement container, if applicable; and inspect the
pressure indicator on the containers for discrepancies, by doing all
applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletins 40-26-05 or 45-26-9,
both Revision 2, both dated May 4, 2009; as applicable. If any
discrepancy is found, replace the container before further flight in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletins 40-26-05 or 45-26-9, both Revision 2, both dated
May 4, 2009; as applicable.
(h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with the applicable service information listed in Table 1
of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
requirements in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Table 1--Credit Service Information
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Bombardier
Affected serial numbers-- service Revision-- Dated--
bulletin--
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For Model 45 airplanes having 40-26-05 Basic Issue................... November 24, 2008.
serial numbers 2001 through
2114, inclusive.
For Model 45 airplanes having 40-26-05 1............................. December 22, 2008.
serial numbers 2001 through
2114, inclusive.
For Model 45 airplanes having 45[dash]26[das Basic Issue................... November 24, 2008.
serial numbers 006 through 383, h]9
inclusive.
[[Page 38943]]
For Model 45 airplanes having 45[dash]26[das 1............................. December 22, 2008.
serial numbers 006 through 383, h]9
inclusive.
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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. Send information to
ATTN: James Galstad, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion
Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801
Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas
67209; telephone (316) 946-4135; fax (316) 946-4107.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16514 Filed 7-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P