[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: 94-27479]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-157-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ 
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 all British Aerospace Model Avro 
146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal would require inspections to 
detect cracking of the upper main fitting of the nose landing gear 
(NLG), and replacement or repair of cracked parts. This proposal is 
prompted by reports of cracking of the upper main fitting of the NLG. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the main fitting, which could lead to collapse of the NLG 
during landing.

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-157-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, 
ANM-113, 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-157-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-157-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On August 23, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-17-04, amendment 39-8674 
(58 FR 47036, September 7, 1993), applicable to all British Aerospace 
Model BAe 146 series airplanes, to require repetitive eddy current or 
ultra high sensitivity penetrant inspections to detect cracking of the 
upper main fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement or 
repair of cracked parts. That action was prompted by reports of 
cracking in the main fittings of the NLG. The actions required by that 
AD are intended to prevent failure of the main fitting, which could 
lead to collapse of the NLG during landing.
    AD 93-17-04 is applicable only to British Aerospace Model BAe 146 
series airplanes. Since issuance of that AD, however, the Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the 
United Kingdom, has advised that additional airplanes may be subject to 
the same unsafe condition addressed by the existing AD action. Further 
analysis has indicated that cracking of the upper main fitting of the 
NLG may occur on all British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes.
    British Aerospace has issued Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993, of 
Service Bulletin S.B. 32-131. The inspection procedures described in 
this revision are identical to those described in Revision 1 of the 
service bulletin (which was referenced in AD 93-17-04). This revision 
only expands the effectivity listing to include additional airplanes. 
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 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. 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 repetitive eddy 
current or ultra high sensitivity penetrant inspections, and 
replacement or repair of cracked parts. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously. This proposed rule would be applicable only to Model Avro 
146-RJ series airplanes.

    (Note: The FAA's normal policy is that when an AD requires a 
substantive change, such as a change (expansion) in its 
applicability, the ``old'' AD is superseded by removing it from the 
system and a new AD is added. In the case of this AD action, the FAA 
normally would have proposed superseding AD 93-17-04 to expand its 
applicability to include Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes as the 
additional affected airplanes. However, in reconsideration of the 
entire fleet size that would be affected by a supersedure action, 
and the consequent workload associated with revising maintenance 
record entries, the FAA has determined that a less burdensome 
approach is to issue a separate AD applicable only to these 
additional airplanes. This AD does not supersede AD 93-17-04; 
airplanes listed in the applicability of AD 93-17-04 are required to 
continue to comply with the requirements of that AD. This proposed 
AD is a separate AD action, and is applicable to all British 
Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes.)

    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2.5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $450, or $150 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-152-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the failure of the main fitting, which could lead to 
collapse of the nose land gear (NLG) during landing, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For airplanes on which NLG part number 200876001 or 
200876003 has been installed:
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 total landings or within 
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
conduct an eddy current or ultra high sensitivity penetrant 
inspection of the NLG, in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin S.B.

32-131, Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 landings.

    (2) If cracking is detected during any inspection required by 
this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the currently 
installed NLG with a new or serviceable unit, or repair the crack, 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Standardization 
Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. After 
replacement or repair, repeat the inspection at intervals not to 
exceed 4,000 landings.
    (b) For airplanes on which NLG part number 200876002, 200876004, 
or 201138002 has been installed: -
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings or within 
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
conduct an eddy current or ultra sensitivity penetrant inspection of 
the NLG, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B. 
32-131, Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings. -
    (2) If cracking is detected during any inspection required by 
this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the currently 
installed NLG with a new or serviceable unit, or repair the crack, 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Standardization 
Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. After 
replacement or repair, repeat the inspection at intervals not to 
exceed 8,000 landings. -
    (c) 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.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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. 94-27479 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P