[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12407-12408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4255]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-132-AD; Amendment 39-9156; AD 95-04-04]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ70A
and -RJ85A Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A
series airplanes, that requires 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 amendment
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 this 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: Effective April 6, 1995. -
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 6, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model
Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on November 7, 1994 (59 FR 55383). That action proposed to
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. -
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received. -
The commenter supports the proposed rule. -
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 added to this final rule to clarify this requirement. -
The FAA has recently reviewed the figures it has used over the past
several years in calculating the economic impact of AD activity. In
order to account for various inflationary costs in the airline
industry, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to increase the
labor rate used in these calculations from $55 per work hour to $60 per
work hour. The economic impact information, below, has been revised to
reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor rate. -
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD. - [[Page 12408]]
The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1.5 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $250
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,020, or $340 per airplane. -
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. -
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 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:
95-04-04 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro
International Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, PLC;
British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9156.
Docket 94-NM-132-AD.
Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A airplanes, as
listed in Avro International Aerospace Service Bulletin 49-40,
Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994; 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 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 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.
(d) The inspection, removal, and installation shall be done in
accordance with Avro International Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B.
49-40, Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994, which contains the
following list of effective pages:
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Revision
Page No. level shown Date shown on page
on page-
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1-................................. 1-........... Mar. 17, 1994.
2-4-............................... Original..... Feb. 16, 1994.
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace Holdings, Inc.,
Avro International Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles
International Airport, Washington DC 20041-6039. 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4255 Filed 3-6-95; 8:45 am]
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