2023-11-10: Fuselage

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-11-10 Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company: Amendment 39-22456; Docket No. FAA-2023-1209; Project Identifier AD-2023-00632-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 11, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (2) of this AD, certificated in any category. (1) Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, 382G, and 382J airplanes. (2) The airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (xi) of this AD, type certificated in the restricted category. (i) LeSEA Model C-130A airplanes (transferred from Central Air Services, Inc.), Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A34SO, Revision 1. (ii) T.B.M., 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) Heavylift Helicopters, Inc., Model C-130B airplanes, TCDS A35NM, Revision 1. (viii) Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Inc., Model HP-C-130A airplanes, TCDS A30NM, Revision 1. (ix) Coulson Aviation (USA), Inc., Model EC-130Q and C-130H airplanes, TCDS T00019LA, Revision 4. (x) Lockheed-Georgia Company Model 282-44A-05 (C-130B) airplanes, TCDS A5SO. (xi) Surplus Model C-130A airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report indicating a quality audit found aft fuselage sloping longerons manufactured with an overaged condition ( i.e., understrength). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the possibility of both aft sloping longerons being understrength, which would reduce the structural integrity of the airplane below limit load ( i.e., maximum load to be expected in service) and could lead to failure of both longerons. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Records Review for All Airplanes Except Model 382J Airplanes For all airplanes except Model 382J airplanes: Within 35 days after the effective date of this AD, review the airplane maintenance records to determine if the left or right aft fuselage sloping longeron, having part number (P/N) 342986-( ), has been replaced on or after December 31, 2012. (h) Conductivity Check for All Airplanes Except Model 382J Airplanes If, during the airplane maintenance records review required by paragraph (g) of this AD, it is determined that the left or right aft fuselage sloping longeron, having P/N 342986-( ), has been replaced on or after December 31, 2012, or it cannot be conclusively determined that the part has not been replaced, before further flight, do a conductivity check on the longeron, in accordance with paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-53-69, dated April 12, 2023. (i) Hardness Test for All Airplanes Except Model 382J Airplanes If, during the conductivity check required by paragraph (h) of this AD, the conductivity measurements exceed the values specified in paragraph 2.E.(6) or (7), as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-53-69, dated April 12, 2023, before further flight, do a Rockwell hardness test of the longeron, in accordance with paragraph 2.F. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-53-69, dated April 12, 2023. (j) Conductivity Check for Model 382J Airplanes For all Model 382J airplanes: Within 35 days after the effective date of this AD, do a conductivity check on any aft fuselage sloping longeron having P/N 342986-13/-14/-19/-20, in accordance with paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382J-53-004, dated March 27, 2023. (k) Hardness Test for Model 382J Airplanes If, during the conductivity check required by paragraph (j) of this AD, the conductivity measurements exceed the values specified in paragraph 2.E.(6) or (7), as applicable, before further flight, do a Rockwell hardness test of the longeron, in accordance with paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382J-53-004, dated March 27, 2023. (l) Corrective Action for All Airplanes If, during any hardness test required by paragraph (i) or (k) of this AD, the hardness reading is below 80 Rockwell B, before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, East Certification Branch, FAA. (m) No Report Although Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-53-69, dated April 12, 2023; and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382J-53-004, dated March 27, 2023; specify to submit all conductivity and hardness inspection results to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, this AD does not require any report. (n) Parts Installation Limitation (1) For all airplanes except Model 382J airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any aft fuselage sloping longeron having P/N 342986-( ) unless the conductivity check specified in paragraph (h) of this AD has been accomplished and all applicable actions specified in paragraphs (i) and (l) have been accomplished. (2) For all Model 382J airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any aft fuselage sloping longeron having P/N 342986-( ) unless the conductivity check specified in paragraph (j) of this AD has been accomplished and all applicable actions specified in paragraphs (k) and (l) have been accomplished. (o) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. (p) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, East Certification 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 (q) 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) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as specified by paragraph (m) 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. (q) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Fred Caplan, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5507; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov. (r) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382-53-69, dated April 12, 2023. (ii) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Alert Service Bulletin A382J-53-004, dated March 27, 2023. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) 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 June 2, 2023. Michael Linegang, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-13430 Filed 6-21-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P