Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. Model 45 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10215-10216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3534]



[[Page 10215]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0951; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-107-AD; 
Amendment 39-16608; AD 2011-04-08]
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 a general visual inspection for 
damage of wiring (including chafing, pinched wires, and exposed wires) 
and correct routing of wires in the left and right circuit breaker 
panels, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 
This AD results from reports of wire damage on the pilot and copilot 
circuit breaker panels caused by a short circuit between chafed wiring 
and the circuit breaker panel forward mounting bracket. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct damaged or misrouted wires, which could 
result in a short circuit and the loss of systems associated with the 
wiring (including fire suppression function for one engine and 
essential avionics systems).

DATES: This AD is effective March 31, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 31, 
2011.

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: Jose Flores, Aerospace Engineer, 
Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone 316-946-4133; fax 316-946-
4107.

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 October 1, 2010 (75 FR 60667). That NPRM proposed to require a 
general visual inspection for damage of wiring (including chafing, 
pinched wires, and exposed wires) and correct routing of wires in the 
left and right circuit breaker panels, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Revise Unsafe Condition

    Learjet requested that we revise the unsafe condition, as stated in 
paragraph (e) of the NPRM, to ``This AD results from reports of wire 
damage on the pilot and copilot circuit breaker panels caused by a 
short circuit between chafed wiring and the circuit breaker panel 
forward mounting bracket'' instead of ``This AD results from reports of 
wire damage on the pilot and copilot circuit breaker panels caused by a 
short circuit between chafed wires.''
    We agree with the commenter's request. We have revised the language 
in the SUMMARY section and paragraph (e) of this AD accordingly.

Request To Revise Paragraph (g) of the NPRM

    Learjet requested that we revise paragraph (g) of the NPRM to 
``except if arcing damage is found on the forward mounting bracket of 
the circuit breaker panel'' instead of ``except if arcing damage is 
found on the mounting brackets of the forward circuit breaker panel.''
    We agree with the request provided by the commenter. We have 
revised paragraph (g) of this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 339 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators 
to be $28,815, or $85 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),

[[Page 10216]]

    (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

    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):

2011-04-08 Learjet Inc.: Amendment 39-16608; Docket No. FAA-2010-
0951; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-107-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective March 31, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes, 
certificated in any category; having serial numbers identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Serial numbers 45-2001 through 45-2114 inclusive, 45-2116 
through 45-2120 inclusive, 45-2122, 45-2125, and 45-2126.
    (2) Serial numbers 45-005 through 45-380 inclusive, 45-382 
through 45-391 inclusive, 45-393 through 45-396 inclusive, 45-398, 
45-400, 45-401, and 45-403.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: 
Electrical power.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of wire damage on the pilot and 
copilot circuit breaker panels caused by a short circuit between 
chafed wiring and the circuit breaker panel forward mounting 
bracket. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to 
detect and correct damaged or misrouted wires, which could result in 
a short circuit and the loss of systems associated with the wiring 
(including fire suppression function for one engine and essential 
avionics systems).

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.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (g) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Do a general visual inspection for damage of wiring and correct 
routing of wires in the left and right circuit breaker panels, and 
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert 
Service Bulletin A40-24-11, dated November 16, 2009; or Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin A45-24-16, dated November 16, 2009; as 
applicable; except if arcing damage is found on the forward mounting 
bracket of the circuit breaker panel, before further flight, repair 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA. Do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions before further flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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. Send information to 
ATTN: Jose Flores, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and 
Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone 316-946-4133; fax 316-946-4107.
    (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.

Related Information

    (i) For more information about this AD, contact Jose Flores, 
Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone 316-
946-4133; fax 316-946-4107.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A40-24-11, 
dated November 16, 2009; or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A45-
24-16, dated November 16, 2009; as applicable; to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A40-
24-11, dated November 16, 2009; and Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin A45-24-16, dated November 16, 2009; 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 February 7, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3534 Filed 2-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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