2023-09-13: Wings

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-18-09, Amendment 39-19736 (84 FR 50730, September 26, 2019); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2023-09-13 Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company: Amendment 39-22436; Docket No. FAA-2023-1044; Project Identifier AD-2023-00593-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 31, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2019-18-09, Amendment 39-19736 (84 FR 50730, September 26, 2019) (AD 2019-18-09). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category. (1) Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. (2) The airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (x) of this AD, type certificated in the restricted category. (i) LeSEA Model C-130A airplanes, Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A34SO, Revision 1. (ii) T.B.M., Inc., (transferred from Central Air Services, Inc.) Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A39CE, Revision 3. (iii) Western International Aviation, Inc., Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A33NM. (iv) USDA Forest Service Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A15NM, Revision 4. (v) Snow Aviation International, Inc., Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS TQ3CH, Revision 1. (vi) International Air Response (transferred from Rogers Helicopters, Inc., and Heavylift Helicopters, Inc.) Model C-130A airplanes, TCDS A31NM, Revision 3. (vii) Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Inc., Model HP-C-130A airplanes, TCDS A30NM, Revision 1. (viii) Coulson Aviation (USA), Inc., Model EC-130Q airplanes and Model C-130H airplanes, TCDS T00019LA, Revision 4. (ix) Lockheed-Georgia Company Model 282-44A-05 (C-130B) airplanes, TCDS A5SO. (x) Surplus Model C-130A airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by an analysis of reported cracks showing repetitive inspections are needed to adequately address cracked inner tangs of the center wing lower rainbow fittings. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracks. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the center wing lower rainbow fittings, wing separation, and loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Inspections With Revised Service Information This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2019-18-09, with revised service information. Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Before the accumulation of 15,000 flight hours on the lower center wing rainbow fitting, or within 30 days after October 11, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-18-09), whichever occurs later, do the inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 1, dated August 16, 2019; or Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 2, dated February 14, 2023. If any cracks are found during any inspection required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, replace the rainbow fitting before further flight. (1) Do a visual inspection of the center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings for any cracks. (2) Do an eddy current inspection of the center wing lower rainbow fittings for any cracks. (h) Retained Compliance Time Exception for Paragraph (g) of This AD With No Changes This paragraph restates the exception specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2019-18-09, with no changes. For any airplane on which the number of flight hours on the lower rainbow fitting cannot be determined for paragraph (g) of this AD: Do the inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD within 30 days after October 11, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-18-09). (i) New Repetitive Inspections Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD: Within 5,000 flight hours after accomplishing the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do the inspections specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 2, dated February 14, 2023. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours. If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (i)(1) or (2) of this AD, replace the rainbow fitting before further flight. (1) Do a visual inspection of the left and right center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings for any crack. (2) Do an eddy current inspection of the left and right center wing lower rainbow fittings for any crack. (j) Compliance Time Exception for Paragraph (i) of This AD For any airplane on which the number of flight hours on the lower rainbow fitting cannot be determined for paragraph (i) of this AD: Do the inspections required by paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this AD within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. (k) No Report Although Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 1, dated August 16, 2019; and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 2, dated February 14, 2023; specify to report inspection findings, this AD does not require any report. (l) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before October 11, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-18-09) using Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, dated August 9, 2019. (m) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the airplane can be modified, provided no more than two tangs (nodes) are found cracked during any inspection required by paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD. (n) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (o)(1) of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by a Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER) that has been authorized by the Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. (4) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD, if any service information contains steps that are identified as RC, those steps, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with this AD; any steps that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to steps, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. (o) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Fred Caplan, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, East Certification Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5507; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (p)(5) and (6) of this AD. (p) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 31, 2023. (i) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 2, dated February 14, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on October 11, 2019 (84 FR 50730, September 26, 2019). (i) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-57-98, Revision 1, dated August 16, 2019. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Airworthiness Office, Dept. 6A0M, Zone 0252, Column P-58, 86 S Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA 30063; telephone 770-494-5444; fax 770-494-5445; email ams.portal@lmco.com. (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (7) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on May 9, 2023. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-10526 Filed 5-12-23; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P