[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35793-35794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17417]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-113-AD; Amendment 39-10640; AD 98-14-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes. This
amendment requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the
spring strut assembly of the forward door of the main landing gear
(MLG), and replacement of the existing spring strut assembly with a new
or serviceable part, if necessary. This amendment also requires
eventual replacement of the existing spring strut assembly with an
improved part, which, when accomplished, terminates the repetitive
inspections. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
failure of the spring strut assembly of the forward door of the MLG,
which, if not corrected, could result in inability to extend the MLG.
DATES: Effective August 5, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 5, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
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 certain British Aerospace BAe
Model ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 1,
1998 (63 FR 24136). That action proposed to require repetitive
inspections for discrepancies of the spring strut assembly of the
forward door of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the
existing spring strut assembly with a new or serviceable part, if
necessary. That action also proposed to require eventual replacement of
the existing spring strut assembly with an improved part, which, when
accomplished, would terminate the repetitive inspections.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 4 work hours (2 work hours per MLG) to
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the inspection
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,400, or
$240 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
It will take approximately 12 work hours (6 work hours per MLG) to
accomplish the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,200 per
airplane ($1,100 per MLG). Based on this figure, the cost impact of the
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$29,200, or $2,920 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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
[[Page 35794]]
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:
98-14-06 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]:
Amendment 39-10640. Docket 98-NM-113-AD.
Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, as listed in British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-32-85, Revision 1, dated March
20, 1998; 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 (c) 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 failure of the spring strut assembly of the forward
door of the main landing gear (MLG), which could result in the
inability to extend the MLG, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
perform a visual inspection for discrepancies of the fork end of the
spring strut assembly of the forward door of the MLG, on the left
and right sides of the airplane; in accordance with British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-32-85, Revision 1, dated March
20, 1998.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the visual inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours until the
actions specified by paragraph (b) of this AD are accomplished.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
replace the existing spring strut assembly with a new or serviceable
part, in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Repeat the
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight
hours until the actions specified by paragraph (b) of this AD are
accomplished.
(b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the spring strut assembly of the forward door of the MLG
with an improved spring strut assembly, on the left and right sides
of the airplane; in accordance with British Aerospace Service
Bulletin ATP-32-87, dated January 29, 1998. This replacement
constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
(c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their request
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) 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.
(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-87, dated January 29, 1998. The
inspection shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Alert
Service Bulletin ATP-32-85, Revision 1, dated March 20, 1998, which
contains the following effective pages:
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Revision level Date shown on
Page No. shown on page shown on page page
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1-3, 6, 7, 10..................... 1................ March 20, 1998.
4, 5, 8, 9, 11.................... Original......... January 26, 1998.
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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 AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may be inspected at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 5, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 24, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17417 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U