[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