Airworthiness directives: BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd.,
[Federal Register: September 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 171)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52947-52949]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06se05-23]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22290; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-129-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the wiring of the starter-generator terminal block. This proposed AD results from a report of total electrical failure just as the airplane landed. We are proposing this AD to prevent total electrical failure and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 6, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to
[[Page 52948]]
http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Include the docket number ``FAA- 2005-22290; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-129-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov , including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of that web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov , or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647- 5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. The CAA advises that a Model Jetstream 4101 airplane had a total electrical failure just as the airplane landed. Although investigations did not uncover all mechanisms that contributed to the total electrical failure, investigators established that a significant contributory factor was a chafed exciter wire to the positive terminal of the starter-generator. The current routing of the small wiring at the starter-generator terminal block has the potential for incorrect routing and possible chafing and shorting against the stud of terminal ``B.'' The starter-generator is currently removed for overhaul at 600- flight-hour intervals, and the wires can be damaged or misrouted during removal and reinstallation. This condition, if not corrected, could result in total electrical failure and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41- 24-041, dated May 10, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for modifying the wiring of the starter-generator terminal block. For airplanes on which modification JM41360 (a modification to the electrical wiring) has not been incorporated, the procedures include splicing and re-routing the wires. For airplanes on which modification JM41360 has been incorporated, the procedures include re-routing the wires. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAA mandated the service information and issued British airworthiness directive G-2005-0006, dated February 7, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
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. We have examined the CAA's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 57 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 10 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $37,050, or $650 per airplane.
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 have 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.
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For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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); 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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
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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]
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2005-22290; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-129-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 6, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of total electrical failure just as the airplane landed. We are issuing this AD to prevent total electrical failure and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Modification
(f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the wiring of the starter-generator terminal block in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-24-041, dated May 10, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0006, dated February 7, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 2005. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17610 Filed 9-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
