82 FR 18084 - Airworthiness Directives; Learjet, Inc., Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 72 (April 17, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet, Inc., Model 60 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the upper fuselage skin under the aft oxygen line fairing is subject to multi-site damage (MSD). This AD requires a one-time inspection of the fuselage skin for corrosion, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 72 (Monday, April 17, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18084-18087]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07551]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9505; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-155-AD; 
Amendment 39-18856; AD 2017-08-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Learjet, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Learjet, Inc., Model 60 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an 
evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the 
upper fuselage skin under the aft oxygen line fairing is subject to 
multi-site damage (MSD). This AD requires a one-time inspection of the 
fuselage skin for corrosion, and related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 22, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 22, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, KS 67209-2942; 
telephone: 316-946-2000; fax: 316-946-2220; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.bombardier.com. You 
may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It 
is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9505.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9505; 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 Docket 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: Paul Chapman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport, 
Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4152; fax: 316-946-4107; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Learjet, Inc., 
Model 60 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 20, 2016 (81 FR 92745) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted 
by an evaluation by the DAH indicating that the upper fuselage skin 
under the aft oxygen line fairing is subject to MSD. The NPRM proposed 
to require a one-time inspection of the fuselage skin for corrosion, 
and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the fuselage skin, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to that comment.

Request To Require Repetitive Inspections

    An anonymous commenter stated that given the cause is unknown, a 
one-time inspection is insufficient to protect against corrosion. The 
commenter stated

[[Page 18085]]

that we should require more frequent inspections.
    We partially agree with the commenter. We understand the concern 
that repetitive inspections might be necessary to reduce the damage 
caused by corrosion. However, the required inspection is considered to 
be interim action, and in order to establish meaningful inspection 
intervals without causing excessive expense to operators, this AD 
requires owners/operators to report the extent of corrosion on their 
airplanes along with the total time (i.e., flight hours) and total 
number of landings on the airplanes. Using this information, the FAA 
will be able to gain a better understanding of the damage to the fleet. 
This will allow us to determine if additional corrective action is 
needed and what the appropriate action should be. It also will provide 
justification as to whether or not further rulemaking is needed. We 
have not changed this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 3, dated 
August 29, 2016. The service information describes procedures for 
inspections of the fuselage crown skin for corrosion, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. Because the cause of the 
corrosion is not known, the inspection reports will help determine the 
extent of the corrosion in the affected fleet. Based on the results of 
these reports, we might determine that further corrective action is 
warranted. Once further corrective action has been identified, we might 
consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 284 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections........................  46 work-hours x $85 per                $265          $4,175      $1,185,700
                                      hour = $3,910.
Reporting..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour                0              85          24,140
                                      = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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 
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:

[[Page 18086]]

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):

2017-08-07 Learjet, Inc.: Amendment 39-18856; Docket No. FAA-2016-
9505; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-155-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 22, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Learjet, Inc., Model 60 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, serial numbers 60-002 through 60-430 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder indicating that the upper fuselage skin under the aft oxygen 
line fairing is subject to multi-site damage. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct corrosion of the fuselage skin, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection of the Fuselage Skin, and Related Investigative and 
Corrective Actions

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or 
(g)(3) of this AD: Do a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the 
fuselage skin between stringers (S)-2L and S-2R for corrosion; and 
do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions; in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Learjet 60 
Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 3, dated August 29, 2016, except 
as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
    (1) For airplanes with more than 12 years since the date of 
issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or the date of 
issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes with more than 6 years but equal to or less 
than 12 years since the date of issuance of the original 
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 
export certificate of airworthiness as of the effective date of this 
AD: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes with 6 years or less since the date of 
issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or the date of 
issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD.

(h) Service Information Exception

    Where Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 3, dated 
August 29, 2016, specifies contacting Learjet, Inc., for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this 
AD.

(i) Reporting

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) 
of this AD: Submit a report of the findings (both positive and 
negative) of the inspection required by the introductory text of 
paragraph (g) of this AD to: [email protected]; or Ann Johnson, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, 
Wichita, KS 67209. The report must include the name of the owner, 
the address of the owner, the name of the organization incorporating 
Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, the date that inspection was 
completed, the name of the person submitting the report, the 
address, telephone number, and email of the person submitting the 
report, the airplane serial number, the total time (flight hours) on 
the airplane, the total number of landings on the airplane, whether 
corrosion was detected, whether corrosion was repaired, the 
structural repair manual (SRM) chapter and revision used (if 
repaired), and whether corrosion exceeded the minimum thickness 
specified in Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19 (and specify the 
SRM chapter and revision, if used as an aid to determine minimum 
thickness).
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in the 
introductory text to paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Learjet 60 
Service Bulletin 60-53-19, dated November 23, 2015; Learjet 60 
Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 1, dated April 4, 2016; or 
Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 2, dated April 18, 
2016.

(k) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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 paragraph 
(m)(1) 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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by a Learjet, Inc., Designated Engineering 
Representative (DER), or a Unit Member (UM) of the Learjet 
Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), that has been 
authorized by the Manager, Wichita ACO, to make those findings. To 
be approved, the repair, modification deviation, or alteration 
deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the 
approval must specifically refer to this AD.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Paul Chapman, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita ACO, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport, Wichita, 
KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4152; fax: 316-946-4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Learjet 60 Service Bulletin 60-53-19, Revision 3, dated 
August 29, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Learjet, Inc., service information identified in this 
AD, contact Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, KS 67209-2942; 
telephone: 316-946-2000; fax: 316-946-2220; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.bombardier.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.

[[Page 18087]]

    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07551 Filed 4-14-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P