AD 2017-04-15

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 36A airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that an aileron cable failed on an airplane during a tension check and a determination that Model 36A airplanes were not included in AD 2005-13-36, which addresses this issue for other Learjet Inc. airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the center ball of the aileron control cables for a defective swage, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

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):

2017-04-15 Learjet Inc.: Amendment 39-18810; Docket No. FAA-2016- 9388; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-145-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective April 4, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 36A airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A35/36-27-42, dated December 23, 2002.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted bya report indicating that an aileron cable failed on an airplane during a tension check. We are issuing this AD to prevent severe weakening of the aileron cable, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

Within 100 flight hours or 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection of the center ball of the aileron control cables for a defective swage, and before further flight, replace any damaged or defective cable with a new cable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A35/36-27-42, dated December 23, 2002. For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is an intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirrors, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane an aileron control cable unless it has been inspected in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) No Reporting or Parts Return Requirement

Although Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A35/36-27-42, dated December 23, 2002, has procedures for submitting a report showing compliance and for returning any discrepant parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (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 (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Donald Ristow, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4120; fax: 316-946-4107; email: donald.ristow@faa.gov.

(l) 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 part51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on August 9, 2005 (70 FR 38578, July 5, 2005).

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(i) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A35/36-27-42, dated December 23, 2002.
(ii) Reserved.
(4) 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 ac.ict@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.
(5) 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.
(6) 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.

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 36A airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2016 (81 FR 81704) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that an aileron cable failed on an airplane during a tension check, and a determination that Model 36A airplanes were not included in AD 2005-13-36, Amendment 39-14173 (70 FR 38578, July 5, 2005), which addresses this condition for other Learjet Inc. airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection of the center ball of the aileron control cables for a defective swage, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent severe weakening of the aileron cable, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 21 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspection......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $1,785
= $85. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement that would be required based on the results of the required inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this replacement:

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On-Condition Costs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable Replacement.................. Up to 48 work-hours x $85 Up to $2,020.......... Up to $6,100.
per hour = up to $4,080. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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 numberof 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.