[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60667-60669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24713]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0951; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-107-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 all
Model 45 airplanes. This proposed AD would require a general visual
inspection for damage of wiring (including chafing, pinched wires, and
exposed wires) and correct routing of wires in the left and right
circuit breaker panels, and related investigative and corrective
actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of wire
damage on the pilot and copilot circuit breaker panels caused by a
short circuit between chafed wires. We are proposing this AD to detect
and correct damaged or misrouted wires, which could result in a short
circuit and the loss of systems associated with the wiring (including
fire suppression function for one engine and essential avionics
systems).
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 15,
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.
[[Page 60668]]
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: Kevin Schwemmer, Aerospace Engineer,
Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4174; 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-2010-0951;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-107-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 received reports of a wire failure associated with the
pilot and copilot circuit breaker panel that could result in toxic
gases in the crew compartment. Wire damage caused by a short circuit
and subsequent burning of wires have been reported on four Model 45
airplanes. In all four incidents, the wire damage was associated with
the 28 volts direct current (VDC) power for the fire-suppression
system. This condition, if not corrected, could result in wire damage
caused by a short circuit, which could result in the loss of systems
associated with the wiring (including fire suppression function for one
engine and essential avionics systems).
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A40-24-11, dated
November 16, 2009; and Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A45-24-16,
dated November 16, 2009. The service information describes procedures
for doing a general visual inspection for damage of wiring (including
chafing, pinched wires, and exposed wires) and correct routing of wires
in the left and right circuit breaker panels, and related investigative
and corrective actions, if necessary. The related investigative action
is doing a general visual inspection for arcing damage on the mounting
brackets of the forward circuit breaker panel. Depending on inspection
findings, the corrective actions are replacing damaged (chafed,
pinched, or exposed) wires, and re-routing any incorrectly routed
wires; and contacting the manufacturer for repair instructions and
doing the repair.
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, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Although Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A40-24-11, dated
November 16, 2009; and Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A45-24-16,
dated November 16, 2009; specify that operators may contact the
manufacturer for disposition of certain repair conditions, this
proposed AD would require operators to repair those conditions using a
method approved by the FAA.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 339 airplanes of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour
per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is
$85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $28,815, or $85 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.
[[Page 60669]]
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-2010-0951; Directorate Identifier 2010-
NM-107-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 15, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes,
certificated in any category; having serial numbers identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Serial numbers 45-2001 through 45-2114 inclusive, 45-2116
through 45-2120 inclusive, 45-2122, 45-2125, and 45-2126.
(2) Serial numbers 45-005 through 45-380 inclusive, 45-382
through 45-391 inclusive, 45-393 through 45-396 inclusive, 45-398,
45-400, 45-401, and 45-403.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24:
Electrical power.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from reports of wire damage on the pilot and
copilot circuit breaker panels caused by a short circuit between
chafed wires. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD
to detect and correct damaged or misrouted wires, which could result
in a short circuit and the loss of systems associated with the
wiring (including fire suppression function for one engine and
essential avionics systems).
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.
Inspection and Corrective Action
(g) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Do a general visual inspection for damage of wiring and correct
routing of wires in the left and right circuit breaker panels, and
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert
Service Bulletin A40-24-11, dated November 16, 2009; or Bombardier
Alert Service Bulletin A45-24-16, dated November 16, 2009; as
applicable; except if arcing damage is found on the mounting
brackets of the forward circuit breaker panel, before further
flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA. Do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(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: Kevin Schwemmer, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and
Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4174; 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 September 24, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-24713 Filed 9-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P