AD 94-23-07 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series airplanes, that requires various modifications and inspections of the flight controls, doors, and horizontal stabilizers. This amendment is prompted by a recommendation by the Systems Review Task Force (SRTF) for accomplishment of certain modifications and inspections that will enhance the controllability of these airplanes in the unlikely event of flight control malfunction or failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure airplane survivability in the event of damage to fully powered flight control systems.

Final Rule

94-23-07 LOCKHEED AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS COMPANY: Amendment 39-9069. Docket 94-NM-32-AD.

Applicability: Model L-1011-385 series airplanes; as listed in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 ["Flight Controls - Modifications and Inspections - Collector Service Bulletin" (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To ensure airplane survivability in the event of damage to fully powered flight control systems, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, accomplish modifications and inspections of the flight controls, modification of the doors, and modification of the horizontal stabilizers, in accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 ["Flight Controls - Modifications and Inspections - Collector Service Bulletin" (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the CSB). This paragraph requires accomplishment of certain Lockheed service bulletins identified in the CSB, as listed below. Modifications or inspections accomplished previously in accordance with earlier revisions of the service bulletins listed below are acceptable for compliance with this AD.

Service Bulletin No.
Revision Level
Date of Issuance
093-27-A102
Original
March 13, 1974
(Alert Service Bulletin)

093-27-178
Original
April 30, 1979
093-27-200
2
September 28, 1982
093-27-279
1
February 1, 1984
093-27-289
Original
December 3, 1984
093-27-292
3
March 28, 1991
093-52-061
1
November 1, 1974
093-55-030
1
March 20, 1991

NOTE 1: Paragraph (a) of this AD does not require accomplishment of any of the service bulletins listed in the CSB other than those identified above.

NOTE 2: Accomplishment of the actions described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-280, dated December 16, 1983, is considered an acceptable means of compliance for accomplishment of the inspection and modification described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-279, Revision 1, dated February 1, 1984.

(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, Small Airplane Directorate. 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.

(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.

(d) The modifications and inspections shall be done in accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-301 ["Flight Controls - Modifications and Inspections - Collector Service Bulletin" (CSB)], dated June 9, 1992. 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 Western Export Company (LWEC), Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 21, 1994.

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 Lockheed Model L-1011-385 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 9, 1994 (59 FR 29745). That action proposed to require various modifications and inspections of the flight controls, doors, and horizontal stabilizers.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

One commenter supports the proposed rule.

One commenter suggests that reworking and changing the part number of the cross-tie interlock bungees on the servo of the stabilizer, as described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-280, should be considered terminating action for reworking the bungee, as described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-279. The FAA recognizes that accomplishment of the actions in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-280 is an acceptable means of compliance for accomplishment of the inspection and modification described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-27-279. The FAA finds that no change to the final rule is necessary, since this provision was included in NOTE 2 under paragraph (a) of the proposed rule.

One commenter requests that the compliance time of four years, as specified in paragraph (a) of the proposal, be revised to coincide with parts availability. The commenter suggests a compliance time of four years after all required parts kits are available or five years after the effective date of the AD. The FAA does not concur. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA considered not only the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, but the availability of required parts and the practical aspect of installing the required modifications within a maximum interval of time allowable for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety. The FAA is not aware of any parts availability problem at this time and, therefore, assumes that an ample number of required parts will be available for modification of the U.S. fleet within the proposed compliance period. However, under the provisions of paragraph (b) of the final rule, the FAA may approve requests for adjustments to the compliance time if data are submitted to substantiate that such an adjustment would provide an acceptable level of safety.

The same commenter requests that the compliance time for accomplishment of Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-55-030 be extended. This commenter performs work in the area addressed by the service bulletin at heavy maintenance checks, which occur at intervals of 27,000 flight hours. The commenter suggests that even a five-year compliance time would be inadequate for accomplishment of this service bulletin. However, the commenter does not request a specific compliance time. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to extend the compliance time. The actions described in Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-55-030 should take only five work hours to complete. The FAA has determined that these actions can be accomplished during regularly scheduled maintenance visits (other than heavy maintenance checks) or inspection activities without having a significant adverse effect on airplane scheduling. However, paragraph (b) of the final rule does provide affected operators the opportunity to apply for an adjustment of the compliance time if data are presented to justify such an adjustment.

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

There are approximately 236 Model L-1011-385 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 117 airplanes of U.S. registrywill be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 87 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts for certain modifications will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Required parts for certain other modifications will be minimal in cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $559,845, or $4,785 per airplane.

The total 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 number of required work hours, as indicated above, is presented as if the accomplishment of the actions required by this AD were to be conducted as "stand alone" actions. However, the 4-year compliance time specified in paragraph (a) of this AD should allowample time for the modifications and inspections to be accomplished coincidentally with scheduled major airplane inspection and maintenance activities, thereby minimizing the costs associated with special airplane scheduling.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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, ona 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company, Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080. 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, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer, Flight Test Branch, ACE-160A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Suite 210C, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (404) 991-3915; fax (404) 991-3606.