Airworthiness directives: British Aerospace,

[Federal Register: October 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 195)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 54774-54776]

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

[DOCID:fr08oc99-8]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-345-AD; Amendment 39-11361; AD 99-21-16]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes, that requires repetitive replacements of the weight on wheels microswitch harness subassembly with a new microswitch harness subassembly. 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 a nose wheel shimmy, which could result in the collapse of the nose landing gear during takeoff or landing and possible injury to the flightcrew and passengers.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 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 July 15, 1999 (64 FR 38156). That action proposed to require repetitive replacements of the weight on wheels

[[Page 54775]]

microswitch harness subassembly with a new microswitch harness subassembly.

Comments Received

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comment received.

The commenter states that the full name and address from which service information is obtained has changed. The FAA concurs and has changed the service information name and address to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.

The commenter also states that the British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-93, dated October 3, 1998, has been revised to include a reference to revised Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin 200-32- 257, which is now at Revision No. 2. British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999, does not contain any changes except for reference to the revised Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin. The revision to the Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin introduces a revised and clarified set-up and test procedure using different (but readily available) test equipment. Since these changes are considered minor, and since they clarify and improve the original service bulletin, the commenter requests that British Aerospace Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999, be referenced in the AD.

The FAA concurs with the request to include the cited revised service information. The final rule is revised to require accomplishment of the actions in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999. A note is included in the final rule to allow accomplishment of the actions in accordance with the earlier British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-93, dated October 3, 1998, prior to the effective date of this AD.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted 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 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $5,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $54,800, or $5,480 per airplane, per replacement cycle.

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:

    99-21-16 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Amendment 39-11361. Docket 98-NM-345-AD.

    Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers 2002 through 2063 inclusive, 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 (b) 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 a nose wheel shimmy, which could result in the collapse of the nose landing gear during takeoff or landing and possible injury to the flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the following:

    Replacement

    (a) Within 4 years after the initial installation of the weight on wheels microswitch harness subassembly or 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the weight on wheels microswitch harness subassembly with a new microswitch harness subassembly in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999. Repeat the replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4 years.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the replacement in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-93, dated October 3, 1998, prior to the effective date of this AD, is acceptable for compliance with this paragraph.

    Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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.

    [[Page 54776]]

    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

    (c) 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

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999. 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, 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 014-10-98.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 1999. D.L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    [FR Doc. 99-25929Filed10-7-99; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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