[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21072-21074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10174]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-41-AD; Amendment 39-12198; AD 2001-08-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-1011-385 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 all Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series airplanes, that 
requires a visual inspection of the fuel level control switch, the fuel 
level control switch wiring harness, and the wiring harness conduit for 
damage, wear or chafing, broken or missing O-rings, or indications of 
electrical arcing. This amendment also requires replacement of a 
certain conduit in the fuel level control switch wiring harness, 
installation of electrical sleeving over

[[Page 21073]]

the fuel level control switch wiring harness, and installation of the 
fuel level control switch which has been so modified. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing of the fuel level 
control switch wiring harness, which could cause arcing and result in a 
fire in the fuel tank.

DATES: Effective June 1, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Center, 120 Orion 
Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29605. This information 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: Tom Peters, Program Manager, 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 L-1011-385 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 19, 
2000 (65 FR 62651). That action proposed to require a visual inspection 
of the fuel level control switch, the fuel level control switch wiring 
harness, and the wiring harness conduit for damage, wear or chafing, 
broken or missing O-rings, or indications of electrical arcing. This 
amendment also requires replacement of a certain conduit in the fuel 
level control switch wiring harness, installation of electrical 
sleeving over the fuel level control switch wiring harness, and 
installation of the fuel level control switch which has been so 
modified. Those actions are intended to prevent chafing of the fuel 
level control switch wiring harness, which could cause arcing and 
result in a fire in the fuel tank.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    One commenter requests that the compliance time for the actions 
specified by the proposed AD be revised from ``within 12 months after 
the effective date of this AD,'' to ``within 18 months after the 
effective date of this AD.'' The commenter advises that special 
equipment to drain and vent the tanks and a specially trained crew are 
necessary to perform the actions specified in the proposed AD. The 
commenter advises further that the special equipment and trained crew 
are only available at a maintenance base. The commenter makes the case 
that by extending the compliance time to coordinate with the scheduled 
C-check (at 18-month intervals) the number of required fuel tank 
entries will be minimized, and therefore, the risk of damage to the 
tanks and the associated internal and external components will also be 
minimized.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter for the reasons stated by the 
commenter and has revised the final rule accordingly. We consider that 
such a 6-month extension of the compliance time will not have an 
adverse effect of the safety of the fleet.
    This same commenter also requests that requirements of paragraph 
(a) of the proposed rule be revised to clarify that not all conduits 
should be replaced with part number (P/N) 97590-121 conduits. The 
commenter points out that not all conduits can be replaced with a -121 
conduit, as shapes and bends vary from conduit to conduit. The 
commenter notes that Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-28-094 (referenced 
in the NPRM as the appropriate service information) describes 
procedures for replacing only conduit having P/N 97590-103 with -121 
conduit.
    The FAA agrees with the request for the reasons stated by the 
commenter. We have revised the final rule by adding a new paragraph (b) 
to clarify that only conduit having P/N 97590-103 need to be replaced 
with the -121 conduit.

Conclusion

    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 with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 235 Model L-1011-385 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 117 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 19 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $200 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $156,780, or $1,340 per airplane. hour.
    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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

[[Page 21074]]

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:

2001-08-21  Lockheed: Amendment 39-12198. Docket 2000-NM-41-AD.

    Applicability: All Model L-1011-385 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 chafing of the fuel level control switch wiring 
harness, which could cause arcing and result in a fire in the fuel 
tank, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Replacement, and Installation

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Verify 
the part number (P/N) of the wiring harness conduit and perform a 
general visual inspection of the fuel level control switch, the fuel 
level control switch wiring harness, and the wiring harness conduit 
to detect any visible damage, any wear or chafing, broken or missing 
O-rings, or indications of electrical arcing, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-28-094, 
dated March 3, 2000.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``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 under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, 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.''

    (b) Prior to further flight after accomplishment of the 
requirements in paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish the actions 
specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2), as applicable; in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Lockheed Service 
Bulletin 093-28-094, dated March 3, 2000.
    (1) Install sleeving over each fuel level control switch wiring 
harness and install the modified fuel level control switch.
    (2) If a conduit with P/N 97590-103 is installed, replace the 
conduit with one having P/N 97590-121, install sleeving over each 
fuel level control switch wiring harness, and install the modified 
fuel level control switch.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Lockheed 
Service Bulletin 093-28-094, dated March 3, 2000. 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 Martin Aircraft & Logistics Center, 120 Orion 
Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29605. Copies may be inspected at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 1, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10174 Filed 4-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P