[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57972-57973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27789]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD; Amendment 39-11389; AD 99-22-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and
Avro 146-RJ 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 British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ
series airplanes, that requires installation of modified roller sub-
assemblies in both the main landing gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG
uplock. 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
roller sub-assemblies, which could result in failure of the MLG to
retract and lock after takeoff, or to deploy properly for landing.
DATES: Effective December 2, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 2, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
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 all British Aerospace Model BAe
146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on July 7, 1999 (64 FR 36626). That action proposed to require
installation of modified roller sub-assemblies in both the main landing
gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG uplock.
Comments Received
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Request to Include Alternate Modification
One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the proposed AD
allow reference to an improved roller which will be approved in the
near future. British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, dated
December 1, 1998, which is referenced in the proposed AD as the
appropriate source of service information, introduces an interim
standard roller for the main landing gear door lock and uplock
(reference British Aerospace Modification HCM70656A). However, the
commenter advises that an improved roller is to be introduced in the
next two months as British Aerospace Modification HCM70656B. According
to the commenter, this modification is being addressed with the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority of the
United Kingdom, and is expected to be approved as an alternative method
of compliance. The commenter requests that this alternative
modification be referenced in the AD in order to allow operators to
readily take advantage of either method of compliance.
The FAA concurs. The FAA has received additional information from
the manufacturer regarding the acceptability of the improved roller
described in British Aerospace Modification HCM70656B. This
modification has now been approved by the CAA of the United Kingdom as
an acceptable alternative method of compliance to installation of the
standard roller described in Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A.
Accordingly, the FAA has determined that Modification HCM70656B is an
acceptable method of compliance for the requirements of this AD, and
has added a ``NOTE'' to the final rule to provide such credit to
operators. A reference to Modification HCM70656A has also been included
in paragraph (a) of the AD to clarify the requirements of that
paragraph.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted
[[Page 57973]]
above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously.
The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 45 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no
cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $32,400, or $720 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:
99-22-11 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-11389. Docket 99-NM-27-AD.
Applicability: All Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ 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 (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 roller sub-assemblies in both the main
landing gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG uplock, which could result
in failure of the MLG to retract and lock after takeoff, or to
deploy properly for landing, accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Install a modified roller sub-assembly in the MLG door lock
unit and the MLG uplock unit (British Aerospace Modification
HCM70656A), in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.32-150-70656A, dated December 1, 1998, at the applicable time
specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 30,000 total flight
cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD: Within six
months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 26,000 or more, but
fewer than 30,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of
this AD: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.
(3) For airplanes that have accumulated 22,000 or more, but
fewer than 26,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of
this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
(4) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 22,000 total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months
after the accumulation of 22,000 total flight cycles.
Note 2: Accomplishment of British Aerospace Modification
HCM70656B (installation of improved rollers) is acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a MLG door lock assembly, part number 200898001 or
200898002, or a MLG uplock assembly, part number 200885001 or
200885002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, dated December 1, 1998.
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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft
American Support, 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 005-12-98.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 2, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 19, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27789 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U