Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-188A and L-188C Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65045-65047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31319]



[[Page 65045]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-84-AD; Amendment 39-10911; AD 98-24-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model L-188A and L-188C Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Lockheed Model L-188A and L-188C series airplanes, 
that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide the 
flightcrew with modified procedures and limitations for operating in 
icing conditions. This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents 
involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines that experienced 
tailplane stall due to ice accretion on the horizontal stabilizer of 
the airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
undetected accretion of ice on the horizontal stabilizer, which could 
result in ice contaminated tailplane stall and consequent loss of pitch 
control.

DATES: Effective December 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Support Company (LASSC), 
Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, 
Smyrna, Georgia 30080. 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, Small 
Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown 
Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (770) 703-6063; fax (770) 703-6097.

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 all Lockheed Model L-188A and L-
188C series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 
13, 1998 (63 FR 43340). That action proposed to require revising the 
Airplane Flight Manual to provide the flightcrew with modified 
procedures and limitations for operating in icing conditions.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 75 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 32 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required incorporation of the AFM 
revisions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,920, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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:

98-24-25  Lockheed: Amendment 39-10911. Docket 98-NM-84-AD.

    Applicability: All Model L-188A and L-188C series airplanes, 
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 (b) 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 undetected accretion of ice on the horizontal 
stabilizer, which could result in ice contaminated tailplane stall 
and consequent loss of pitch control, accomplish the following:

[[Page 65046]]

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations, Normal Procedures, and Performance Sections and 
Appendix III of the FAA-approved Electra 188A or 188C Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM), as applicable, to include the pages specified 
in Table 1 (for Model L-188A series airplanes), Table 2 (for Model 
L-188C series airplanes not equipped with Hamilton Standard 
propellers), or Table 3 (for Model L-188C series airplanes equipped 
with Hamilton Standard propellers) of this AD, as applicable.

                Table 1.--Revisions to the Electra 188A AFM for all Model L-188A series airplanes
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              Section  number                       Section           Page  number        Date shown on page
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Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........              i    March 10, 1998.
Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........             ii    March 10, 1998.
1.........................................  Limitations...........              6    December 1, 1997.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             10.1  December 1, 1997.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             11    March 10, 1998.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             12    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........              A    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........              6    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........              8    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........             12    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........             12.1  December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........             12.2  December 1, 1997.
Appendix III..............................  Alt. Flap Data........              B    December 1, 1997.
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    Table 2.--Revisions to the Electra 188C AFM for Model L-188C series airplanes not equipped with Hamilton
                                               Standard propellers
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              Section  number                       Section           Page  number        Date shown on page
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Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........              i    March 10, 1998.
Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........             ii    March 10, 1998.
1.........................................  Limitations...........              6    December 1, 1997.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             12.1  December 1, 1997.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             13    March 10, 1998
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             14    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........              A    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........              6    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........              8    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........             12    December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........             12.1  December 1, 1997.
4.........................................  Performance...........             12.2  December 1, 1997.
Appendix III..............................  Alt. Flap Data........              B    December 1, 1997.
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    Table 3.--Revisions to the Electra 188C AFM for Model L-188C series airplanes not equipped with Hamilton
                                               Standard propellers
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              Section  number                       Section           Page  number        Date shown on page
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Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........              i    March 10, 1998.
Preface...................................  Log of Pages..........             ii    March 10, 1998.
1.........................................  Limitations...........              6    December 1, 1997.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             12.1  December 1, 1997.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             13    March 10, 1998.
3.........................................  Normal Procedures.....             14    December 1, 1997.
A4........................................  Performance...........              A    December 1, 1997.
A4........................................  Performance...........              6    December 1, 1997.
A4........................................  Performance...........              8    December 1, 1997.
A4........................................  Performance...........             12    December 1, 1997.
A4........................................  Performance...........             12.1  December 1, 1997.
A4........................................  Performance...........             12.2  December 1, 1997.
Appendix AIII.............................  Alt. Flap Data........              B    December 1, 1997.
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    (b) 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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
    (c) 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.

[[Page 65047]]

    (d) The AFM revisions shall be done in accordance with the 
following Lockheed Airplane Flight Manuals, which contain the 
specified list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Airplane flight manuals        Page  number       Date shown on page
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Electra Model 188A..........  Log of Pages........  March 10, 1998.
March 10, 1998..............  Pages i through Jii
Electra Model 188C..........  Log of Pages........  March 10, 1998.
March 10, 1998..............  Pages i through Lii
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    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 Lockheed Aeronautical Systems 
Support Company (LASSC), Field Support Department, Dept. 693, Zone 
0755, 2251 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown 
Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31319 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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