Airworthiness directives: British Aerospace,
[Federal Register: July 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 129)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 36626-36628]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07jy99-31]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace model BAe 146 and
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Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal would require installation of modified roller sub-assemblies in both the main landing gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG uplock. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed 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: Comments must be received by August 6, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 99-NM-27-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA advises that a report has been received indicating that the roller sub-assembly fitted in the main landing gear (MLG) door lock cracked and broke into segments. A roller sub-assembly of the same type is also fitted in the MLG uplock, and cracks have been reported in that location also. Dowty Hydraulics has established that the cracks were initiated during the manufacturing process. Modified rollers, which use a different manufacturing assembly process, are now available. Cracked or broken roller assemblies, if not corrected, could result in failure of the MLG to retract and lock after takeoff, or to deploy properly for landing.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, dated December 1, 1998, which describes procedures for installation of modified roller sub-assemblies in both the MLG door lock and the MLG uplock. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin are intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directive 005-12-98, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 45 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 12 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative,
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on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): 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, 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.
(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 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.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British airworthiness directive 005-12-98.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 1999. D.L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-17178Filed7-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
