Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 45 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63064-63066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0676; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-095-AD; 
Amendment 39-16479; AD 2010-21-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires replacing aluminum fire 
extinguisher discharge tubes with new, improved tubes; checking the 
fire extinguisher container for certain serial numbers; replacing fire 
extinguisher containers that have affected serial numbers; inspecting 
the pressure indicator on certain fire extinguisher containers for 
discrepancies; and performing corrective action if necessary. This AD 
was prompted by a report of accidental discharge of a fire extinguisher 
container and damage to an aluminum discharge tube. Investigation 
revealed that following the discharge an inaccurate pressure 
indication, due to the indicator dial being incorrectly staked, showed 
that the container was fully charged. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
inaccurate pressure readings and subsequent damage to the discharge 
tubes during operation, which could result in failure of the fire 
extinguisher system and an uncontained fire in an emergency situation.

DATES: This AD is effective November 18, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of November 18, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942; telephone 
316-946-2000; fax 316-946-2220; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 Document 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: James Galstad, 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) 946-4135; fax (316) 
946-4107; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on July 7, 2010 (75 FR 38941). That NPRM proposed to require replacing 
aluminum fire extinguisher discharge tubes with new, improved tubes; 
checking the fire extinguisher container for certain serial numbers; 
replacing fire extinguisher containers that have affected serial

[[Page 63065]]

numbers; inspecting the pressure indicator on certain fire extinguisher 
containers for discrepancies; and performing corrective action if 
necessary.

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 the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 322 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take 5 work-hours per product to comply with 
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts 
cost is minimal. Where the service information lists required parts 
costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will 
be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage 
for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than 
estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD 
to the U.S. operators to be $136,850, or $425 per product.

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

0
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):

2010-21-19 Learjet Inc: Amendment 39-16479; Docket No. FAA-2010-
0676; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-095-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective November 18, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes, 
certificated in any category; as identified in Bombardier Service 
Bulletins 40-26-05 and 45-26-9, both Revision 2, both dated May 4, 
2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26: Fire 
protection.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of accidental discharge of a 
fire extinguisher container and damage to an aluminum discharge 
tube. Investigation revealed that following the discharge an 
inaccurate pressure indication, due to the indicator dial being 
incorrectly staked, showed that the container was fully charged. The 
Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent 
inaccurate pressure readings and subsequent damage to the discharge 
tubes during operation, which could result in failure of the fire 
extinguisher system and an uncontained fire in an emergency 
situation.

Compliance

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

Replacement, Check, Inspection, Corrective Action

    (g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace the aluminum fire extinguisher discharge tubes with new, 
improved stainless steel tubes; check the fire extinguisher 
container for any serial number specified in Table 1 of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 40-26-05 or 45-26-9, both Revision 2, both dated 
May 4, 2009, as applicable; replace any containers that have 
affected serial numbers, do a weight check of all containers, 
including the replacement container, if applicable; and inspect the 
pressure indicator on the containers for discrepancies; by doing all 
applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 40-26-05 or 45-26-9, 
both Revision 2, both dated May 4, 2009; as applicable. If any 
discrepancy is found, replace the container before further flight in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 40-26-05 or 45-26-9, both Revision 2, both dated 
May 4, 2009; as applicable.
    (h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the applicable service information listed in Table 1 
of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements in paragraph (g) of this AD.

            Table 1--Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service Information
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                                     Bombardier
    Affected Serial Numbers--          Service                Revision--                      Dated--
                                     Bulletin--
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For Model 45 airplanes having             40-26-05  Basic Issue..................  November 24, 2008.
 serial numbers 2001 through
 2114, inclusive.
For Model 45 airplanes having             40-26-05  1............................  December 22, 2008.
 serial numbers 2001 through
 2114, inclusive.
For Model 45 airplanes having              45-26-9  Basic Issue..................  November 24, 2008.
 serial numbers 006 through 383,
 inclusive.

[[Page 63066]]

 
For Model 45 airplanes having              45-26-9  1............................  December 22, 2008.
 serial numbers 006 through 383,
 inclusive.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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 the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (j) For more information about this AD, contact James Galstad, 
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-
4135; fax (316) 946-4107; e-mail [email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the service information contained in Table 2 of 
this AD, as applicable, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.

               Table 2--Material Incorporated by Reference
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             Document                 Revision             Date
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Bombardier Service Bulletin 40-26-            2  May 4, 2009.
 05.
Bombardier Service Bulletin 45-26-            2  May 4, 2009.
 9.
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    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in 
Table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Learjet, Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita, Kansas 67209-2942; 
telephone 316-946-2000; fax 316-946-2220; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 5, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-25599 Filed 10-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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