Airworthiness directives: British Aerospace,

[Federal Register: August 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 162)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 45925-45927]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23au99-27]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-19-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP 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 certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive inspections to detect chafing on the fuel manifold drain hose and the adjacent access panel; and corrective actions, if necessary; and installation of a protective spiral wrap on the fuel manifold drain hose. This proposal also would provide for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by reports of chafing between the fuel manifold drain hose and the access panel due to contact between the two components over time. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent chafing within the engine nacelle, which could result in flammable fluid leaking into a zone that contains ignition sources.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-19-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-19-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-19-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 certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received reports indicating that chafing was found between the fuel manifold drain hose and an access

[[Page 45926]]

panel. Over time, this chafing can result in damage to the access panel which would compromise the sealing of a designated fire zone and damage the drain hose, which could result in fuel leaking into a designated fire zone. The chafing has been attributed to the design of the fuel manifold drain hose; its routing allows for contact with the access panel. This condition, if not corrected, could result in flammable fluid leaking into a zone that contains ignition sources.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

British Aerospace has issued Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A71-14, dated November 4, 1998, which describes procedures for repetitive inspections to detect chafing on the fuel manifold drain hose and the adjacent access panel; and corrective actions, if necessary. The corrective actions involve replacement of the fuel manifold drain hose with the same hose design and repair of the access panel. The service bulletin also describes procedures for installation of a protective spiral binding on the drain hose. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

British Aerospace also has issued Service Bulletin ATP-71-15, dated December 11, 1998, which describes procedures for replacement of the fuel manifold drain hose with a new, improved hose. This optional replacement would eliminate the need for the repetitive inspections.

Accomplishment of the actions specified in these service bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

FAA's Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 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 Alert Service Bulletin ATP-71-14 described previously. The proposed AD also would provide for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Operators should note that, in consonance with the findings of the CAA, the FAA has determined that the repetitive inspections proposed by this AD can be allowed to continue in lieu of accomplishment of a terminating action. In making this determination, the FAA considers that, in this case, long-term continued operational safety will be adequately assured by accomplishing the repetitive inspections to detect chafing before it represents a hazard to the airplane.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.

It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection on the fuel manifold drain hose and access panel, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation of the spiral wrap on the fuel manifold drain hose, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $10 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspections proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $700, or $70 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating option rather than continue the repetitive inspections, it would take approximately 7 work hours per airplane to accomplish the optional terminating action, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,600 (pre-modification 35215A) or $2,400 (post-modification 35215A) per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this optional terminating action is estimated to be $2,020 (pre-modification 35215A) or $2,820 (post- modification 35215A) per airplane.

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, 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

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:

   British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket 99-NM-19-AD.

   Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, except those airplanes on which British

   [[Page 45927]]

   Aerospace Modification 10455A or 10455B (reference British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-71-15, dated December 11, 1998) has been accomplished, certificated in any category.

   Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 chafing within the engine nacelle, which could result in flammable fluid leaking into a zone that contains ignition sources, accomplish the following:

   Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions

   (a) Prior to the accumulation of 3,000 total flight hours, or within 1 month after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform the actions required in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A71-14, dated November 4, 1998. Thereafter, repeat the inspections required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours, until accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.

   (1) Perform an inspection of the access panel, part number (P/N) JD713J0037-000, to detect chafe damage. If any chafe damage is detected, repair the access panel in accordance with the service bulletin at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), or (a)(1)(iii), of this AD, as applicable.

   (i) If the damage has reduced the skin thickness by 10 percent or less: Repair within 600 flight hours.

   (ii) If the damage has reduced the thickness of the skin by more than 10 percent, but less than 20 percent: Repair within 100 flight hours.

   (iii) If the damage has reduced the thickness of the skin by more than 20 percent: Repair prior to further flight.

   (2) Perform an inspection of the fuel manifold drain hose, P/N JD007J0983-000 (C37351), to detect chafe damage. If any chafe damage is detected, either replace the fuel manifold drain hose with a new fuel manifold drain hose, P/N JD007J0983-000, in accordance with the service bulletin at the time specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), or (a)(2)(iii) of this AD, as applicable; or accomplish the replacement specified in paragraph (b) of this AD. Replacement of the fuel manifold drain in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

   (i) If there are signs of worn or polished strands in the outer braid, but no strand is broken: Replace within 1,500 flight hours.

   (ii) If five or less strands are broken: Replace within 300 flight hours.

   (iii) If more than five strands are broken or any sign of fuel leakage exists: Replace prior to further flight.

   (3) Install a protective spiral binding, P/N EFWRAP-125, on the fuel manifold drain hose.

   Optional Terminating Action

   (b) Replacement of the fuel manifold drain hose, P/N JD007J0983- 000 (C37351), with a new, improved drain hose, P/N JD007J2377-000 (C44311), in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP- 71-15, dated December 11, 1998, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

   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 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.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 1999. D. L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-21845Filed8-20-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P