AD 2006-25-11 ACTIVE

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Model L-1011 series airplanes. This AD requires a one- time detailed inspection of the C112 harness clamp assembly for proper installation, a one-time detailed inspection of the C112 and C162 harness assemblies for damage, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of electrical arcing of the essential bus feeder cables behind hinged circuit breaker panel CB3 P-K. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing of essential bus feeder cables due to improper installation of the harness C112 clamp assembly, which could result in loss of electrical systems and smoke and/or fire behind the CB3 P-K hinged circuit breaker panel in the flight compartment.

Final rule.

2006-25-11 Lockheed: Amendment 39-14852. Docket No. FAA-2006-25554; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-123-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective January 16, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Lockheed Model L-1011-385-1, L-1011-385- 1-14, L-1011-385-1-15, and L-1011-385-3 series airplanes, certificated in any category; having serial numbers 93A through 193Y inclusive and 293A through 293F inclusive: -1002 through -1250 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of electrical arcing of the essential bus feeder cables behind hinged circuit breaker panel CB3 P-K. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing of essential bus feeder cables due to improper installation of the harness C112 clamp assembly, which could result in loss of electrical systems and smoke and/or fire behind the CB3 P-K hinged circuit breaker panel in the flight compartment.

Compliance

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

Detailed Inspection of the C112 Harness Clamp Assembly

(f) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD by accomplishing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed L-1011 Service Bulletin 093-24-142, dated November 16, 2005. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight.

(1) Perform a one-time detailed inspection of the C112 harness clamp assembly to find incorrectly installed harness clamps, and do all applicable corrective actions.

(2) Perform a one-time detailed inspection of the C112 and C162 harness assemblies to find evidence of chafing, arcing, or deterioration, and do all applicable corrective actions.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, orassembly 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 mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(g)(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(h) You must use Lockheed L-1011 Service Bulletin 093-24-142, dated November 16, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director ofthe Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Center, 120 Orion Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29605, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

Examining the Docket

You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Lockheed Model L-1011 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2006 (71 FR 45447). That NPRM proposed to require a one-time detailed inspection of the C112 harness clamp assembly for proper installation, a one-time detailed inspection of the C112 and C162 harness assemblies for damage, and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Request to Make Service Documents Available to the Public by Incorporation by Reference and Publication in the Docket Management System (DMS)

The Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA) requests that we incorporate by reference the essential service documents in the NPRM. MARPA states that ADs are typically based upon service information originating with the type certificate holder or its suppliers. MARPA asserts that, if a service document is used as a mandatory element of compliance, it should not only be referred to, but also incorporated into the AD. MARPA adds that manufacturer's service documents are privately authored instruments, generally having copyright protection against duplication and distribution. When a service document is incorporated by reference into a public document, such as an AD, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, it loses itsprivate, protected status and becomes a public document. MARPA notes that the NPRM is one of these public documents, but does not incorporate by reference that service document. Therefore, the NPRM, as proposed, attempts to require compliance with a public law by reference to a private writing. MARPA believes that public laws, by definition, should be public and that they cannot rely on private writings.

We do not agree that documents should be incorporated by reference during the NPRM phase of rulemaking. The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) requires that documents that are necessary to accomplish the requirements of the AD be incorporated by reference during the final rule phase of rulemaking. This final rule incorporates by reference the document necessary for the accomplishment of the requirements mandated by this AD. Further, we point out that while documents that are incorporated by reference do become public information, they do not lose their copyright protection. Forthat reason, we advise the public to contact the manufacturer to obtain copies of the referenced service information.

MARPA also requests that essential service documents be published in DMS. MARPA states that service documents incorporated by reference should be made available to the public by publication in either the Federal Register or DMS. MARPA also states that the purpose of the incorporation by reference method is brevity, to keep from expanding the Federal Register needlessly by publishing documents already in the hands of the affected individuals. MARPA adds that, traditionally, "affected individuals'' means aircraft owners and operators, who are generally provided service information by the manufacturer. MARPA further adds that a new class of affected individuals has emerged, since the majority of aircraft maintenance is now performed by specialty shops instead of aircraft owners and operators. This new class includes maintenance and repair organizations, component servicing and repair shops, parts purveyors and distributors, and/or organizations repairing or servicing alternatively certified parts under section 21.303 ("Parts Manufacturer Approval'') of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.303). MARPA states that the concept of brevity is now nearly archaic as documents exist more frequently in electronic format than on paper.

In regard to MARPA's request that service documents be made available to the public by publication in the Federal Register, we agree that incorporation by reference was authorized to reduce the volume of material published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations. However, as specified in the Federal Register Document Drafting Handbook, the Director of the OFR decides when an agency may incorporate material by reference. As the commenter is aware, the OFR files documents for public inspection on the workday before the date of publication of the rule at its office in Washington, DC. As stated inthe Federal Register Document Drafting Handbook, when documents are filed for public inspection, anyone may inspect or copy file documents during the OFR's hours of business. Further questions regarding publication of documents in the Federal Register or incorporation by reference should be directed to the OFR.

In regards to MARPA's request to post service bulletins on the Department of Transportation's DMS, we are currently in the process of reviewing issues surrounding the posting of service bulletins on the DMS as part of an AD docket. Once we have thoroughly examined all aspects of this issue and have made a final determination, we will consider whether our current practice needs to be revised. No change to the final rule is necessary in response to this comment.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of ComplianceThere are about 126 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs

Action
Work hours
Average labor rate per hour
Parts
Cost per airplane
Number of U.S.-
registered airplanes
Fleet cost
Inspection of clamp assembly
2
$80
$0
$160
53
$8,480

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

We have determined that 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); 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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

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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

Contact Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Center, 120 Orion Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29605, for service information identified in this AD.

Robert Chupka, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6070; fax (770) 703- 6097.