[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 22, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70294-70296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28963]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-265-AD; Amendment 39-11980; AD 2000-23-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 188A and 188C Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 70295]]


ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Lockheed Model 188A and 188C series airplanes, that 
requires a revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to add 
procedures for donning the flightcrew oxygen masks when the cabin 
altitude warning horn is activated. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent incapacitation of the flightcrew as a result of 
lack of oxygen and consequent loss of control of the airplane due to 
absence of AFM procedures for donning the flightcrew oxygen masks when 
the cabin altitude warning horn is activated.

DATE: Effective December 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, 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, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, 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: 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 all Lockheed Model 188A and 188C 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 30, 
2000 (65 FR 52677). That action proposed to require a revision of the 
Airplane Flight Manual to add procedures for donning the flightcrew 
oxygen masks when the cabin altitude warning horn is activated.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 75 Model 188A and 188C series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 32 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $1,920, or $60 per airplane.
    The 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 cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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, 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:

2000-23-10  Lockheed: Amendment 39-11980. Docket 2000-NM-265-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 188A and 188C series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent incapacitation of the flightcrew and consequent loss 
of control of the airplane due to delays in donning oxygen masks in 
response to the activation of the cabin altitude warning horn; 
accomplish the following:

Revision to the Airplane Flight Manual

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Emergency Procedures Section of the FAA-Approved Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) to include the following (which may be accomplished by 
inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM):
    ``Low Cabin Pressure Warning Light Comes On and Horn Starts 
Blowing
    a. Oxygen Masks--Don. Select 100% oxygen.
    b. If conditions dictate, initiate emergency descent.
    c. Check cabin differential pressure gage.
    1. If differential pressure is below 13.34 + 0.30 in. Hg, lower 
cabin altitude selector wheel.
    2. If differential pressure is at 13.34 + 0.30 in. Hg, descend 
to lower aircraft altitude.

    Note: Warning horn can be silenced with cabin altitude warning 
horn switch.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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 1: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

Special Flight Permit

    (c) 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.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on December 27, 2000.


[[Page 70296]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 6, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28963 Filed 11-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P