[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13620-13621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5246]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-126-AD; Amendment 39-9168; AD 95-05-01]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A 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 all British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -
300A series airplanes, that requires conducting closed loop tests to
determine the setting of the underfrequency trip level on suspect
generator control units (GCU), and either the correction of
discrepancies or replacement of the GCU. This amendment is prompted by
several malfunctions of in-service GCU's due to the effects of setting
the underfrequency trip level too high. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to correct GCU's that may have the underfrequency level
set too high, which could result in the unwanted shut down of an
electrical generator; this condition may lead to loss of all generated
electrical power on the airplane when other generator faults or
failures occur.
DATES: Effective April 13, 1995. -
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 13, 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,
ANM-113, Standardization Branch, 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 all British Aerospace Model BAe
146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes was published in the
Federal Register on November 16, 1994 (59 FR 59179). That action
proposed to require checking the part and serial number on the data
plate of each GCU to identify discrepant units, and conducting closed
loop tests on affected GCU's to determine the setting of the
underfrequency trip level. That action also proposed to require either
adjusting the underfrequency trip level or replacing the discrepant GCU
with a serviceable unit, and conducting post assembly testing. -
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 long-standing
requirement. -
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD. -
The FAA estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,580, or $60
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 [[Page 13621]] ``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:
95-05-01 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro
International Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, plc;
British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9168.
Docket 94-NM-126-AD.
-Applicability: All Model British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A,
-200A, and -300A 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 correct generator control units (GCU) that may have the
under-frequency trip level set too high, which could lead to the
unwanted shut down of an electrical generator, accomplish the
following: -
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, check
the part and serial number on the data plate of each generator
control unit (GCU). If the part number is one of those affected and
the serial number is listed in Addendum 1 of GEC-Marconi Service
Bulletin HGE 24-23, dated March 11, 1994, prior to further flight,
conduct a closed loop test to determine the setting of the
underfrequency trip level, in accordance with that service
bulletin.-
(1) If the level exceeds that specified in GEC-Marconi Service
Bulletin HGE 24-23, dated March 11, 1994, prior to further flight,
adjust the level in accordance with that service bulletin; or
replace the GCU with a serviceable unit, in accordance with Avro
Service Bulletin S.B. 24-103, dated March 24, 1994. -
(2) Prior to further flight, after adjustment or replacement of
the GCU as required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, conduct the post
assembly testing in accordance with Avro Service Bulletin S.B. 24-
103, dated March 24, 1994. -
(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 closed loop test and adjustment shall be done in
accordance with GEC-Marconi Service Bulletin HGE 24-23, dated March
11, 1994. The replacement and post assembly test shall be done in
accordance with Avro Service Bulletin S.B. 24-103, dated March 24,
1994. 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 Holding,
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 13, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 27, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-5246 Filed 3-13-95; 8:45 am]
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