[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 207 (Thursday, October 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55082-55084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26721]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-41-AD; Amendment 39-9786; AD 96-21-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 Series 
Airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ 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 series airplanes and 
certain Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires a one-time 
inspection to detect corrosion of the direction link subassembly of the 
main landing gear (MLG) assembly, and repair or replacement of the 
direction link subassembly with a serviceable unit, if necessary. This 
amendment is prompted by a report of failure of the direction link 
subassembly due to corrosion. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent such failures, which can result in directional 
control problems of the airplane during landing.

DATES: Effective November 29, 1996.

[[Page 55083]]

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro 
International Aerospace Division, Customer Support, Woodford Aerodrome, 
Woodford, Cheshire SK7 1 QR, England. 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1149.

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 series airplanes and certain Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on August 12, 1996 (61 FR 41755). 
That action proposed to require a one-time visual inspection to detect 
corrosion of the direction link subassembly of the main landing gear 
(MLG) assembly, and repair or replacement of the direction link 
subassembly with a serviceable part, if necessary. That action also 
proposed to require certain follow-on procedures (application of a 
jointing compound to the threads of the direction link tube) if light 
surface corrosion is detected or if no corrosion is detected.
    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.

Conclusion

    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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 52 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,360, or $180 per 
airplane.
    The 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.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of the 
link subassembly, it will be accomplished concurrently with the 
required inspection and take approximately no more work hours than the 
inspection itself. Replacement parts will cost approximately $8,200 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of any necessary 
replacement action is estimated to be $8,200 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    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 II 034, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

96-21-09  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro 
International Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, plc; 
British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9786. 
Docket 96-NM-41-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 
146-RJ series airplanes, as listed in British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.32-143, dated August 22, 1995; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (g) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the direction link subassembly of the main 
landing gear (MLG), which could result in reduced directional 
control of the airplane during landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes that have accumulated 8,000 or more landings 
on the MLG assembly as of the effective date of this AD, or on which 
the MLG assembly was manufactured or last overhauled within 4 years 
prior to the effective date of this AD: Perform a visual inspection 
to detect corrosion of the direction link subassembly of the MLG 
assembly at the later of the times specified in paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.32-143, dated August 22, 1995.

    Note 2: British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-143, dated 
August 22, 1995, references Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-
127, dated August 21, 1995, as an additional source of service 
information.

    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings, or 
within 5 years since manufacture or last overhaul, whichever occurs 
first. Or
    (2) Prior to the accumulation of 400 landings on the MLG 
assembly after the effective date of this AD, or within 2 months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

[[Page 55084]]

    (b) For airplanes not subject to paragraph (a) of this AD: 
Perform a visual inspection to detect corrosion of the direction 
link subassembly of the MLG assembly at the later of the times 
specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-143, dated August 22, 
1995.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 landings on the MLG 
assembly after the effective date of this AD. Or
    (2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (c) If no corrosion is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD: Prior to further flight, perform 
the follow-on actions in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.32-143, dated August 22, 1995.

    Note 3: ``Follow-on actions,'' as specified in this AD, include 
applying jointing compound to the threads; in some case, restoring 
the cadmium plate; and applying sealant to the exposed threads and 
castellations on the direction link subassembly. These actions are 
described in detail in Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-127, 
dated August 21, 1995.

    (d) If light surface corrosion, as defined in British Aerospace 
Service Bulletin SB.32-143, dated August 22, 1995, is detected 
during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to 
further flight, remove the corrosion and perform the follow-on 
actions in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (e) If any corrosion is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) or (b) or this AD, and that corrosion is beyond the 
limits specified in British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-143, 
dated August 22, 1995: Prior to, further flight, replace the link 
subassembly in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (f) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a MLG or directional link subassembly unless the inspection and 
necessarv follow-on actions of the directional link subassembly 
specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this AD have been 
performed, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
SB.32-143, dated August 22, 1995.
    (g) 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, 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (h) 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.
    (i) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-143, dated August 22, 1995. 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 5 
1. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Limited, Avro International Aerospace Division, Customer Support, 
Woodford Aerodrome, Woodford, Cheshire SK7 1QR, England. 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.
    (j) This amendment becomes effective on November 29, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 10, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-26721 Filed 10-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U