[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 21, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69861-69862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29374]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-11991; AD 2000-23-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Model 60 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 Learjet Model 60 airplanes, that requires
inspecting the routing of oxygen tubing to ensure that there is
adequate clamping of the tubing and adequate clearance between the
tubing and electrical wiring or electrical contacts, and taking
corrective action, if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent electrical arcing between the oxygen tubing and an
electrical source, which could result in an oxygen fire.
DATES: Effective December 26, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 26, 2000.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-
2942. 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, Wichita
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Bertish, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4156; fax (316)
946-4407.
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 Learjet Model 60 airplanes
was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2000 (65 FR 48399).
That action proposed to require inspecting the routing of oxygen tubing
to ensure that there is adequate clamping of the tubing and adequate
clearance between the tubing and electrical wiring or electrical
contacts. That action also proposed to require corrective action, if
necessary.
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 58 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 40 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take 1 work hour per airplane
to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate
is $60 per work hour. There will be no parts required. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the required inspection on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $2,400, or $60 per airplane.
Should an operator be required to adjust the clamping or the
clearance of the oxygen tubing, the FAA estimates that it will take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane and that the average labor rate
is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts, such as clamps, nuts,
bolts, and washers, will be negligible. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of adjusting the clamping or the clearance of the tubing is
estimated to be $7,200, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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
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:
2000-23-18 Learjet: Amendment 39-11991. Docket 2000-NM-52-AD.
[[Page 69862]]
Applicability: Model 60 airplanes, serial numbers 104 through
168 inclusive; 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 electrical arcing between the oxygen tubing and an
electrical source which could result in an oxygen fire, accomplish
the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 60 days or 80 flight hours after issuance of this AD,
whichever occurs first, perform a detailed visual inspection of the
oxygen tubing for adequate clamping and adequate clearance from
electrical wiring and electrical contacts, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin
(Learjet 60) SB A60-35-2, dated November 4, 1999. If adequate
clamping and adequate clearance, as specified in the service
bulletin, are found, no further action is required by this AD.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
Adjustment
(b) If clamping or clearance of the oxygen tubing from
electrical wiring or contacts is not adequate as specified in
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin (Learjet 60) SB A60-35-2, dated
November 4, 1999, the clamping or the clearance must be adjusted, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
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, Wichita 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, Wichita ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita 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 Bombardier
Alert Service Bulletin (Learjet 60) SB A60-35-2, dated November 4,
1999. 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 Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way,
Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office,
1801 Airport Road, Room 101, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas;
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 December 26, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29374 Filed 11-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U