[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7491]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 31, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-31-AD; Amendment 39-8867; AD 94-07-09]

 

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A series airplanes, that currently requires installation 
of a placard, which prescribes special procedures when operating at 
certain flight levels with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON; 
modification of the air brake auto-retract function; and revision of 
the FAA- approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include special 
procedures for operation in certain icing conditions. This amendment 
requires additional revisions to the AFM, which prescribe certain 
altitude and operating limitations and procedures. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of uncommanded engine thrust reductions (rollback) 
when operating in the vicinity of thunderstorms. The actions specified 
in this AD are intended to prevent engine power rollback during flight 
in icing conditions.

DATES: Effective April 15, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications as listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 15, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992, as listed in 
the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of December 17, 1992 (57 FR 53548, November 12, 1992).
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
British Aerospace, Incorporated, Avro Division, 22070 Broderick Drive, 
Sterling, Virginia 20166. This information may be examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 3, 1992, the FAA issued AD 92-
24-09, Amendment 39-8415 (57 FR 53548, November 12, 1992), which is 
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and 
-300A series airplanes. That AD requires installation of a placard, 
which prescribes special procedures when operating at certain flight 
levels with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON; modification of 
the air brake auto-retract function; and revision of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include special procedures to be 
observed when operating in certain icing conditions. That action was 
prompted by a report of spool down/rollback and subsequent shutdown of 
one or more engines on a Model BAe 146-200 series airplane that was in 
flight. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent loss of 
sufficient power to sustain flight.
    Since the issuance of that AD, 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 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes. The CAA advises 
that it has received additional reports of uncommanded engine thrust 
reductions (rollbacks) when operating these airplanes in icing 
conditions in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Although the exact cause 
for these engine power rollbacks has not yet been ascertained, the FAA 
has determined that, based upon the best data available to date, 
special altitude and operating limitations must be imposed when 
operating these airplanes in icing conditions above 26,000 feet 
altitude in order to preclude the possibility of a significant engine 
power rollback that may result in insufficient power to sustain flight. 
These limitations are applicable to all Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and 
-300A series airplanes, since the cause for this problem has not been 
isolated to any specific configuration or series of airplanes of this 
type design.
    British Aerospace has issued Issue No. 2 of the following Temporary 
Revisions (TR) to the AFM, all dated February 1994. These TR's contain 
certain altitude and operating limitations and procedures to be 
followed when icing conditions exist above 26,000 feet altitude:
    1. TR 30, Document No. BAe 3.3 (for Model BAe 146-100A series 
airplanes),
    2. TR 41 and TR 42, Document No. BAe 3.6 (for Model BAe 146-200A 
series airplanes), and
    3. TR 23, Document No. BAe 3.11 (for Model BAe 146-300A series 
airplanes).
    The CAA has approved these AFM revisions and has issued a British 
airworthiness directive to mandate the described limitations and 
procedures.
    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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.
    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, this AD supersedes AD 92-24-09 to require 
additional revisions to the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
by removing the existing Temporary Revision of the AFM required by AD 
92-24-09 and replacing them with Issue No. 2 of the Temporary Revisions 
of the AFM described previously. This AD continues to require 
installation of a placard, which prescribes special procedures when 
operating at certain flight levels with the engine and airframe anti-
ice switch ON and modification of the air brake auto-retract function.
    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in 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 94-NM-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation and that it is not considered to be a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that 
this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8415 (57 FR 
53548, November 12, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-8867, to read as follows:

94-07-09 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-8867. Docket 94-NM-31-AD. 
Supersedes AD 92-24-09, Amendment 39-8415.

    Applicability: All Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.

    Note 1: Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD merely restate the 
requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of AD 92-24-09, Amendment 39-
8415. As allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' 
if those requirements of AD 92-24-09 have already been accomplished, 
this AD does not require that those actions be repeated.

    To prevent engine power rollback during flight in icing 
conditions, accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Within 30 days 
after December 17, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-24-09, 
Amendment 39-8415), install a placard below the ice protection 
switches on the flight deck overhead panel to include additional 
procedures to be followed when operating at certain flight levels 
with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON, in accordance with 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, 
dated April 3, 1992.
    (b) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Within 30 days 
after December 17, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-24-09, 
Amendment 39-8415), modify the air brake auto-retract function, in 
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, 
Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992.
    (c) Within 70 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, amend the FAA-approved AFM as required by paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD:
    (1) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Remove the 
following Temporary Revisions (TR) from the Limitations Section and 
Normal/Abnormal Procedures Section, as applicable:
    (i) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes: 
TR 22 (Document No. BAe 3.3), dated April 1992.
    (ii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes: 
TR 28 (Document No. BAe 3.6), dated April 1992; or TR 33 (Document 
No. BAe 3.6), dated April 1992; as applicable.
    (iii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes: 
TR 12 (Document No. BAe 3.11), dated March 1992.
    (2) For all airplanes: Insert the following TR's into the 
Limitations Section and the Normal/Abnormal Procedures/Handling 
Section, as applicable:

    Note 2: When the following Temporary Revisions have been 
incorporated into an AFM General Revision, the applicable AFM 
General Revision may be inserted into the corresponding FAA-approved 
AFM, provided the information contained in the AFM General Revision 
corresponds identically to that specified in TR 30, TR 41, TR 42, or 
TR 23.

    (i) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes: 
TR 30, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994.
    (ii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes: 
TR 41, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; or TR 42, Issue No. 2, 
dated February 1994; as applicable.
    (iii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes: 
TR 23, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994.
    (d) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (f) The revision of the AFM shall be done in accordance with 
Temporary Revision No. 30 (Document No. BAe 3.3), Issue No. 2, dated 
February 1994; Temporary Revision No. 41 (Document No. BAe 3.6), 
Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; Temporary Revision No. 42 
(Document No. BAe 3.6), Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; and 
Temporary Revision No. 23 (Document No. BAe 3.11), Issue No. 2, 
dated February 1994 ; as applicable. The incorporation by reference 
of these documents is approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The 
installation of the placard and modification shall be in accordance 
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, 
dated April 3, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of December 17, 1992 (57 
FR 53548, November 12, 1992). Copies may be obtained from British 
Aerospace, Incorporated, Avro Division, 22070 Broderick Drive, 
Sterling, Virginia 20166. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 15, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-7491 Filed 3-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U