[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 240 (Thursday, December 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30804]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 15, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-165-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11-200
and -400 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 BAC 1-
11-200 and -400 series airplanes. This proposal would require
inspections of the bearings of the aileron control system, and
correction of discrepancies. This proposal is prompted by a report
indicating that an operator experienced difficulties wherein
considerable pressure was required to manually input roll control due
to seized bearings in the aileron control system. The actions specified
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such seizure of bearings,
which could reduce the pilot's ability to initiate roll control during
critical phases of flight.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 26, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-165-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, Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol
BS99 7AR, England. 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-165-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-165-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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11-200
and -400 series airplanes. The CAA advises it has received a report
indicating that an operator experienced handling difficulties wherein
considerable pressure was required to manually input roll control.
Investigation revealed that these handling difficulties were caused by
seized bearings in the starboard servo tab input and trim tab input
control rods of the aileron control system. Further investigation
revealed that the bearing seals had deteriorated. Such deterioration
allowed the pre-packed bearing lubricant to escape and moisture to
enter, which caused heavy corrosion and subsequent seizure of the rod
end bearings. This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the
pilot's ability to initiate roll control during critical phases of
flight. -
British Aerospace has issued Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-PM6023,
Issue No. 2, dated November 23, 1992, which describes procedures for
repetitive detailed visual and physcial inspections of the bearings of
the aileron control system, and correction of discrepancies. 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 detailed
visual and physical inspections of the bearings of the aileron control
system, and correction of discrepancies. The actions would be required
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been included in this notice to clarify this requirement.
The FAA estimates that 31 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane, per inspection 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 $1,860, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.
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 Airbus Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft Group):
Docket 94-NM-165-AD.
Applicability: All Model BAC 1-11-200 and -400 series airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure the pilot's ability to initiate roll control during
critical phases of the flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 5 years from the date of installation of the aileron
control bearings or within 6 months after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual and physical
inspection to detect missing or damaged sealing rings, corrosion, or
restricted movement of the bearings of the aileron control system,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-PM6023, Issue No. 2, dated
November 23, 1992.
(1) If no discrepancies are found, repeat the inspection
requirements thereafter at intervals not to exceed 14 months.
(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
replace the bearing with a new bearing in accordance with the
service bulletin. Repeat the inspection required by this paragraph
within 5 years after replacement of the bearings, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 14 months.
(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 2: 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 December 9, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-30804 Filed 12-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U