Document ID: FAA-2011-0919-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: General Electric Co. (GE) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B Turbofan Engines
Posted Date: 2011-12-30T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82106-82110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33243]

[[Page 82106]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0919; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-088-AD; 
Amendment 39-16903; AD 2011-27-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed 
Martin Aeronautics Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 
L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1-14, L-1011-385-1-15, and L-1011-385-3 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by results from a damage tolerance 
analysis conducted by the manufacturer indicating that fatigue cracking 
could occur in wing rear spar and upper surface zones. This AD requires 
repetitive inspections for cracking of the wing rear spar and upper 
surface zones, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in 
cracking that grows large enough to reduce the wing strength below 
certificated requirements and possibly cause fracture of the rear spar, 
resulting in extensive damage to the wing and possible fuel leaks.

DATES: This AD is effective February 3, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of February 3, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, Lockheed 
Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Airworthiness 
Office, Dept. 6A0M, Zone 0252, Column P-58, 86 S. Cobb Drive, Marietta, 
Georgia 30063; telephone (770) 494-5444; fax (770) 494-5445; email 
ams.portal@lmco.com; Internet http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ams/tools/TechPubs.html. 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Gray, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 
474-5554; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: Carl.W.Gray@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 21, 2011 (76 
FR 58416). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for 
cracking of the wing rear spar and upper surface zones, and repair if 
necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 58416, September 
21, 2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Parts                               Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost         cost      Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Models: L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1- 21 work-hours x $85         $0  $1,785 per inspection  $3,570 per inspection
 14, L-1011-385-1-15, Zones 1A       per hour = $1,785               cycle.                 cycle (2 airplanes).
 through 1E (Non-destructive         per inspection cycle.
 Inspection).
Models: L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1- 5 work-hours x $85           0  $425 per inspection    $850 per inspection
 14, L-1011-385-1-15, Zone 1F        per hour = $425 per             cycle.                 cycle (2 airplanes).
 (Detailed Inspection).              inspection cycle.
Model: L-1011-385-3, Zones 1A       24 work-hours x $85          0  $2,040 per inspection  $4,080 per inspection
 through 1E (Non-destructive         per hour = $2,040               cycle.                 cycle (2 airplanes).
 Inspection).                        per inspection cycle.
Model: L-1011-385-3, Zone 1F        5 work-hours x $85           0  $425 per inspection    $850 per inspection
 (Detailed Inspection).              per hour = $425 per             cycle.                 cycle (2 airplanes).
                                     inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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

[[Page 82107]]

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-27-02 Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics 
Company: Amendment 39-16903; Docket No. FAA-2011-0919; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NM-088-AD.

 (a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 3, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin 
Aeronautics Company Model L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1-14, L-1011-385-
1-15, and L-1011-385-3 airplanes, certificated in any category, 
serial numbers 1002 through 1250 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD results from a damage tolerance analysis conducted by 
the manufacturer indicating that fatigue cracking could occur in 
wing rear spar and upper surface zones. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in 
cracking that grows large enough to reduce the wing strength below 
certificated requirements and possibly cause fracture of the rear 
spar, resulting in extensive damage to the wing and possible fuel 
leaks.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Inspections of Wing Rear Spar and Upper Surface Zones, and 
Corrective Actions

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k) of this AD, do 
eddy current non-destructive inspections (NDI) and detailed 
inspections for cracking at the applicable zones specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-57-226, 
dated August 31, 2009. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the 
applicable interval specified in Table 1 of this AD.
    (1) For Model L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385-1-14, and L-1011-385-1-15 
airplanes: Zones 1A through 1E, and Zone 1F.
    (2) For Model L-1011-385-3 airplanes: Zones 3A through 3E, and 
Zone 3F.

(h) Additional Inspection if Cracking Is Found

    Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, if any cracking 
is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD: Before further flight, remove the fastener(s) at the suspect 
area, as defined in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-57-226, dated 
August 31, 2009; and do a secondary eddy current inspection to 
detect cracking of fastener holes with suspected crack indications; 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed 
Service Bulletin 093-57-226, dated August 31, 2009.

(i) Repair

    Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, if a crack 
finding is confirmed by the inspection required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD and the cracking is within the allowable repair limits 
specified in Lockheed Martin Repair Drawing LCC-7622-369, Revision 
March 30, 1995: Before further flight, repair the cracking, in 
accordance with Lockheed Martin Repair Drawing LCC-7622-369, 
Revision March 30, 1995. If a crack finding confirmed by the 
inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD is not within the 
allowable repair limits specified in Lockheed Martin Repair Drawing 
LCC-7622-369, Revision March 30, 1995: Before further flight, repair 
the cracking, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair 
method to be approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO, as required by 
this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically 
refer to this AD.

(j) Exception to Service Bulletin

    If any cracking is found during any inspection required by this 
AD, and Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-57-226, dated August 31, 2009; 
or Lockheed Martin Repair Drawing LCC-7622-369, Revision March 30, 
1995; specifies contacting Lockheed for appropriate action: Before 
further flight, repair the cracking in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO, FAA. For a repair method to be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO, as required by this paragraph, 
the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.

(k) Compliance Times for Inspections

    Do the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the 
applicable time specified in table 1 of this AD.

[[Page 82108]]

                                    Table 1--Compliance Times for Inspections
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Airplane models and zones            Compliance time (whichever occurs later)        Repetitive interval
                                                                                              (not to exceed)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L-1011-385-1 having accumulated fewer  Within 7,000 flight      Within 1,000 flight      1,100 flight cycles.
 than 7,000 flight cycles after the     cycles or 10 years       cycles after the
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      after the                effective date of this
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-   accomplishment of        AD.
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the          Lockheed Martin
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A    Service Bulletin 093-
 through 1E;                            57-184, 093-57-196, or
(Non-destructive Inspection (NDI))...   093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-1 having accumulated fewer  Within 7,000 flight      Within 90 flight cycles  90 flight cycles.
 than 7,000 flight cycles after the     cycles or 10 years       or 30 days after the
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      after the                effective date of this
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-   accomplishment of        AD, whichever occurs
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the          Lockheed Martin          later.
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;    Service Bulletin 093-
 (Detailed Inspection).                 57-184, 093-57-196, or
                                        093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-1 having accumulated 7,000  Within 1,000 flight      N/A....................  1,100 flight cycles.
 flight cycles or more flight cycles    cycles or 12 months
 after the accomplishment of Lockheed   after the effective
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    date of this AD,
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   whichever occurs first.
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A
 through 1E; (NDI).
L-1011-385-1 having accumulated 7,000  Within 90 flight cycles  Within 30 days after     90 flight cycles.
 flight cycles or more after the        after the effective      the effective date of
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      date of this AD.         this AD.
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;
 (Detailed Inspection).
L-1011-385-1-14 having accumulated     Within 6,900 flight      Within 1,000 flight      900 flight cycles.
 fewer than 6,900 flight cycles after   cycles or 10 years       cycles after the
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         after the                effective date of this
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    accomplishment of        AD.
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   Lockheed Martin
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A    Service Bulletin 093-
 through 1E; (NDI).                     57-184, 093-57-196, or
                                        093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-1-14 having accumulated     Within 6,900 flight      Within 90 flight cycles  90 flight cycles.
 fewer than 6,900 flight cycles after   cycles or 10 years       or 30 days after the
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         after the                effective date of this
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    accomplishment of        AD, whichever occurs
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   Lockheed Martin          later.
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;    Service Bulletin 093-
 (Detailed Inspection).                 57-184, 093-57-196, or
                                        093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-1-14 having accumulated     Within 1,000 flight      N/A....................  900 flight cycles.
 6,900 or more flight cycles after      cycles or 12 months
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         after the effective
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    date of this AD,
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   whichever occurs first.
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A
 through 1E; (NDI).
L-1011-385-1-14 having accumulated     Within 90 flight cycles  Within 30 days after     90 flight cycles.
 6,900 or more flight cycles after      after the effective      the effective date of
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         date of this AD.         this AD.
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;
 (Detailed Inspection).

[[Page 82109]]

 
L-1011-385-1-15 having accumulated     Within 5,600 flight      Within 1,000 flight      500 flight cycles.
 fewer than 5,600 flight cycles after   cycles or 10 years       cycles after the
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         after the                effective date of this
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    accomplishment of        AD.
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   Lockheed Martin
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A    Service Bulletin 093-
 through 1E; (NDI).                     57-184, 093-57-196, or
                                        093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-1-15 having accumulated     Within 5,600 flight      Within 60 flight cycles  60 flight cycles.
 fewer than 5,600 flight cycles after   cycles or 10 years       or 30 days after the
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         after the                effective date of this
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    accomplishment of        AD, whichever occurs
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   Lockheed Martin          later.
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;    Service Bulletin 093-
 (Detailed Inspection).                 57-184, 093-57-196, or
                                        093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-1-15 having accumulated     Within 1,000 flight      N/A....................  500 flight cycles.
 5,600 or more flight cycles after      cycles or 12 months
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         after the effective
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,    date of this AD,
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the   whichever occurs first.
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A
 through 1E; (NDI).
L-1011-385-1-15 having accumulated     Within 60 flight cycles  Within 30 days after     60 flight cycles.
 5,600 or more flight cycles after      after the effective      the effective date of
 the accomplishment of Lockheed         date of this AD.         this AD.
 Martin Service Bulletin 093-57-184,
 093-57-196, or 093-57-215; as of the
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;
 (Detailed Inspection).
L-1011-385-3 having accumulated fewer  Within 8,400 flight      Within 1,000 flight      1,200 flight cycles.
 than 8,400 flight cycles after the     cycles or 10 years       cycles after the
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      after the                effective date of this
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-   accomplishment of        AD.
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the          Lockheed Martin
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A    Service Bulletin 093-
 through 1E; (NDI).                     57-184, 093-57-196, or
                                        093-57-215, whichever
                                        occurs first.
L-1011-385-3 having accumulated fewer  Within 90 flight cycles  Within 85 flight cycles  85 flight cycles.
 than 8,400 flight cycles after the     or 30 days after the     or 30 days after the
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      effective date of this   effective date of this
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-   AD, whichever occurs     AD, whichever occurs
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the          later.                   later.
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;
 (Detailed Inspection).
L-1011-385-3 having accumulated 8,400  Within 1,000 flight      N/A....................  1,200 flight cycles.
 or more flight cycles after the        cycles or 12 months
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      after the effective
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-   date of this AD,
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the          whichever occurs first.
 effective date of this AD; Zones 1A
 through 1E; (NDI).
L-1011-385-3 having accumulated 8,400  Within 85 flight cycles  Within 30 days after     85 flight cycles.
 or more flight cycles after the        after the effective      the effective date of
 accomplishment of Lockheed Martin      date of this AD.         this AD.
 Service Bulletin 093-57-184, 093-57-
 196, or 093-57-215; as of the
 effective date of this AD; Zone 1F;
 (Detailed Inspection).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the 
Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Carl Gray, Aerospace 
Engineer,

[[Page 82110]]

Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5554; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: Carl.W.Gray@faa.gov.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the 
following service information on the date specified:
    (i) Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-57-226, dated August 31, 2009, 
approved for IBR February 3, 2012.
    (ii) Lockheed Martin Repair Drawing LCC-7622-369, Revision March 
30, 1995, approved for IBR February 3, 2012. Only the first page of 
this document contains the manufacturer name, revision, and date of 
the document.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, 
Airworthiness Office, Dept. 6A0M, Zone 0252, Column P-58, 86 S. Cobb 
Drive, Marietta, Georgia 30063; telephone (770) 494-5444; fax (770) 
494-5445; email ams.portal@lmco.com; Internet http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ams/tools/TechPubs.html.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33243 Filed 12-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P