[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 214 (Monday, November 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27475]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-132-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ70A 
and -RJ85A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model 
Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A series airplanes. This proposal would require 
an inspection to identify and remove certain cable terminals on the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) starter circuit and installation of certain 
new cable terminals. This proposal is prompted by a report that, during 
an inspection of the cable terminals on the APU starter circuit, 
incorrect cable terminals were found installed on these airplanes. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure the 
installation of correct starter cable terminals in the APU; incorrect 
cables could lead to the inability of the pilot to start the APU when 
needed in a situation of loss of other electrical power sources.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 4, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-132-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 British Aerospace Holdings, Inc., Avro International 
Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles International Airport, 
Washington DC 20041-6039. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, 
Washington.

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:

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 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-132-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-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-132-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain British Aerospace Model Avro 146-
RJ70A and -RJ85A series airplanes. The CAA advises that, during an 
inspection of the cable terminals in the auxiliary power unit (APU) 
starter circuit, incorrect cable terminals were found installed on 
these airplanes. Investigation revealed that nickel-plated copper 
terminals were installed during production instead of aluminum/copper 
terminals. Nickel-plated copper terminals that contact APU starter 
cables having an aluminum core result in dissimilar metal corrosion. 
Such corrosion could lead to the loss of power to the APU, and the 
consequent inability of the pilot to start the APU when necessary in a 
situation where an airplane's primary or other electrical power sources 
are lost. If this were to occur, all electrical power on the airplane 
may be lost.
    Avro has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 49-40, Revision 1, dated 
March 17, 1994, which describes procedures for a detailed visual 
inspection to identify the cable terminals fitted to cables KA47 and 
KA48 in the APU starter circuit at terminal block KA9. This service 
bulletin also describes procedures for removing the cable terminals 
identified as part number (P/N) S1007-042 and installing new cable 
terminals having P/N S1006-040. The CAA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory.
    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 (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.
    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 a detailed visual 
inspection to identify the cable terminals fitted to cables KA47 and 
KA48 on the APU starter circuit at terminal block KA9, removal of 
certain cable terminals, and installation of certain new cable 
terminals. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1.5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $250 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $997.50, 
or $332.50 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is 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.
    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. 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International 
Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, PLC; British 
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Docket 94-NM-132-AD.

    Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A series airplanes; 
as listed in Avro International Aerospace Service Bulletin 49-40, 
Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of electrical power to the auxiliary power unit 
(APU), accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection to identify the cable terminals fitted 
to cables KA47 and KA48 in the APU starter circuit at terminal block 
KA9, in accordance with Avro International Aerospace Service 
Bulletin S.B. 49-40, Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994. If the cable 
terminals are identified as part number (P/N) S1007-042, prior to 
further flight, remove the cable terminals and install new cable 
terminals having P/N S1006-040, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (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, 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27475 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P