Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)
Proposed Rules
Pages 46301-46303
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2013-18387
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2013-0631; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cracked pick-
up bracket of the forward outboard pylon of the number 1 engine due to stress corrosion. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections and, depending on findings, repair of the pylon pick-up brackets. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the pick-up bracket, which could result in the engine pylon separating from the wing, with consequent damage to the airplane and reduced controllability.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 16, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425)-1175; fax: (425)-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0631; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0136, dated July 20, 2012 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
While carrying out a scheduled environmental inspection, an operator found
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a cracked number 1 engine forward outboard pylon pick-up bracket. Cracks were present on the upper flange of the bracket running between all 3 attachment bolt holes. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cause of cracking was stress corrosion. Cracking of the pylon pick-up brackets at the top and bottom flanges could reduce the capability of the brackets to support the ultimate sideload, particularly if cracking is present on more than one flange.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in the engine pylon separation from the wing, likely resulting in damage to and controllability of the aeroplane and possible injury to persons on the ground.
* * * * *
For reasons described above, this AD requires the inspection and, depending on findings, repair of the affected pylon pick-up brackets.
The inspection includes a special detailed inspection with a videoscope. Corrective actions can include replacing any affected pylon pick-up brackets, and doing any follow-on skin repairs. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-073, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2012; and Revision 2, dated March 8, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $170, or $170 per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation:
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Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
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Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
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Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
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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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 Amended
0
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2013-0631; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 16, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-
RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category, all serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked pick-up bracket of the forward outboard pylon of the number 1 engine due to stress corrosion. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the pick-up bracket, which could result in the engine pylon separating from the wing, with consequent damage to the airplane and reduced controllability.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
(g) Repetitive Inspections
(1) Within the initial compliance time specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months: Do a special detailed inspection with a videoscope of the flanges of the Rib 10 forward pylon pick-up bracket of each engine pylon for cracking, corrosion, and other defects, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-073, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2012; or Revision 2, dated March 8, 2012.
(i) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, except as provided by paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(ii) For airplanes on which a maintenance records check positively determines that both forward pylon pick-up brackets have been replaced since first flight of the airplane: Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, any cracking,
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corrosion or other defect of any Rib 10 forward pylon pick-up bracket is found: Before further flight, repair or replace the bracket as specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Repair a bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-073, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2012; or Revision 2, dated March 8, 2012.
(ii) Replace a bracket using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).
(3) Repairing or replacing a Rib 10 forward pylon pick-up bracket, as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, does not terminate the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if the actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-073, dated September 6, 2010.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 227-1175; fax: (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0136, dated July 20, 2012, for related information.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2013-18387 Filed 7-30-13; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
