Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 382 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-220-AD; Amendment 39-8961; AD 94-14-09]

Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 382 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 certain Lockheed Model 382 series airplanes, that

requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual to require takeoff

operation in accordance with revised performance data. This amendment

is prompted by a report of a change that had been incorporated into the

propeller governor of these airplanes during production, which altered

the thrust decay characteristic of the propeller when operating in an

engine failure scenario. The actions specified by this AD are intended

to ensure that the airplane is operated at sufficient speeds to

mitigate the problems associated with a faster thrust decay and to

prevent the airplane from departing the side of the runway.

DATES: Effective August 10, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of August 10, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Lockheed Western Export Company, 2251 Lake Park Drive,

Smyrna, Georgia 30080. This information may be examined at the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane

Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1669 Phoenix

Parkway, Suite 210C, 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,

Flight Test Branch, ACE-160A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification

Office, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349;

telephone (404) 991-3915; fax (404) 991-3606.

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 certain Lockheed Model 382 series

airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 1994 (59

FR 14124). That action proposed to require a revision to the FAA-

approved AFM to require takeoff operation of the airplane in accordance

with the revised performance data.

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.

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.

There are approximately 112 Model 382, 382E, and 382G series

airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA

estimates that 18 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this

AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to

accomplish the AFM change, and that the average labor rate is $55 per

work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $990, or $55 per airplane.

The total 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.

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. 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:

94-14-09 Lockheed: Amendment 39-8961. Docket 93-NM-220-AD.

Applicability: Model 382, 382E, and 382G series airplanes;

equipped with a servo-type valve housing assembly, having part

number 714325-2, -3, -5, -6, or -7, installed on any outboard

engine; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To ensure that the airplane is operated at sufficient speeds to

mitigate the problems associated with a faster thrust decay and to

prevent the airplane from departing the side of the runway,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise

the Limitations and Performance Data Sections of the FAA-approved

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the information specified in

Lockheed Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 382-16, dated August 11,

1993, and operate the airplane accordingly thereafter. The

requirements of this paragraph may be accomplished by inserting AFM

Supplement 382-16 into the AFM.

(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

Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Atlanta ACO.

Note: 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

Secs. 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.

(d) The AFM revision shall be done in accordance with Lockheed

Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 382-16, dated August 11, 1993.

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 Western Export Company,

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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification

Office, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 210C, 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 August 10, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 23, 1994.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-15736 Filed 7-8-94; 8:45 am]

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