Airworthiness Directives; Turbopropeller-Powered McDonnell Douglas Model DC-3 and DC-3C Series Airplanes

2-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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Hoerman, Aerospace Engineer,

Flight Test Branch, ANM-160L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification

Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone

(562) 527-5371; fax (562) 625-5210.

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 97-NM-72-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. 97-NM-72-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

ich the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 97-NM-72-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. 97-NM-72-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

In recent years, the FAA has received reports of 14 incidents and/

or accidents involving intentional or inadvertent operation of the

propellers in the ground beta range during flight on airplanes equipped

with turboprop engines. (For the purposes of this proposal, beta is

defined as the range of propeller operation intended for use during

taxi, ground idle, or reverse operations as controlled by the power

lever settings aft of the flight idle stop.)

Five of the fourteen in-flight beta occurrences were classified as

accidents. In each of these five cases, operation of the propellers in

the beta range occurred during flight. Operation

of the propellers in the beta range during flight, if not prevented,

could result in loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed

with consequent loss of engine power.

Communication between the FAA and the public during a meeting held

on June 11-12, 1996, in Seattle, Washington, revealed a lack of

consistency of the information on in-flight beta operation contained in

the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for airplanes that are

not certificated for in-flight operation with the power levers below

the flight idle stop. (Airplanes that are certificated for this type of

operation are not affected by the above-referenced conditions.)

FAA's Determinations

hington, revealed a lack of

consistency of the information on in-flight beta operation contained in

the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for airplanes that are

not certificated for in-flight operation with the power levers below

the flight idle stop. (Airplanes that are certificated for this type of

operation are not affected by the above-referenced conditions.)

FAA's Determinations

The FAA has examined the circumstances and reviewed all available

information related to the incidents and accidents described

previously. The FAA finds that the Limitations Section of the AFM's for

certain airplanes must be revised to prohibit positioning the power

levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and

to provide a statement of the consequences of positioning the power

levers below the flight idle stop. The FAA has determined that the

affected airplanes include those that are equipped with turboprop

engines and that are not certificated for in-flight operation with the

power levers below the flight idle stop. Since turbopropeller-powered

McDonnell Douglas Model DC-3 and DC-3C series airplanes meet these

criteria, the FAA finds that the AFM for these airplanes must be

revised to include the limitation and statement of consequences

described previously.

Additionally, the FAA notes that for certain airplanes on which

Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines are installed, the operations manual

refers to ``ground fine pitch'' as well as ``operations below the

flight idle stop.'' Therefore, the FAA has included a reference to

``ground fine pitch'' in paragraph (a) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Proposed AD

escribed previously.

Additionally, the FAA notes that for certain airplanes on which

Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines are installed, the operations manual

refers to ``ground fine pitch'' as well as ``operations below the

flight idle stop.'' Therefore, the FAA has included a reference to

``ground fine pitch'' in paragraph (a) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop in other turbopropeller-powered McDonnell Douglas

Model DC-3 and DC-3C series airplanes of the same type design, the

proposed AD would require revising the Limitations Section of the AFM

to modify the limitation that prohibits the positioning of the power

levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and

to add a statement of the consequences of positioning the power levers

below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.

Interim Action

This is considered interim action until final action is identified,

at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 21 turbopropeller-powered McDonnell Douglas

Model DC3 and DC-3C series airplanes of the affected design in the

worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes of U.S. registry

would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately

1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that

the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures,

the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$300, or $60 per airplane.

The 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.

Regulatory Impact

our. Based on these figures,

the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$300, or $60 per airplane.

The 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.

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 97-NM-72-AD.

Applicability: All turbopropeller-powered McDonnell Douglas

Model DC-3 and DC-3C 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 loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed

and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being

positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in

flight, accomplish the following:

has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed

and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being

positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in

flight, accomplish the following:

(a) For turbopropeller-powered McDonnell Douglas Model DC-3 and

DC-3C series airplanes on which Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines are

installed: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,

revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be

accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop (i.e.,

including ground fine pitch) while the airplane is in flight is

prohibited. Such positioning may lead to loss of airplane control or

may result in an overspeed condition and consequent loss of engine

power.

(b) For turbopropeller-powered McDonnell Douglas Model DC-3 and

DC-3C series airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a)

of this AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,

revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be

accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while the

airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead to

loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition and

consequent loss of engine power.

f the FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be

accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while the

airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead to

loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition and

consequent loss of engine power.

(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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification

Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA

Principal Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send

it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 98-476 Filed 1-7-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P