Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Model 60 Airplanes

[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

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