[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63266-63267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31028]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-187-AD; Amendment 39-10219; AD 97-24-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 
and 400 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 
series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection to 
determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reversers, 
and to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion; and 
corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment requires that the 
inspections be repeated at certain intervals. This amendment is 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the control cables, which 
may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an 
uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser while the airplane is in 
flight.

DATES: Effective January 2, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace (Operations) Ltd., trading as British 
Aerospace Airbus Ltd., P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, 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: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 94-17-02, 
amendment 39-8997 (59 FR 41235, August 11, 1994), which is applicable 
to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, 
was published in the Federal Register on September 22, 1997 (62 FR 
49458). The action proposed to require repetitive inspections of the 
control cables of the thrust reverser to determine the tension of the 
control cables of the thrust reversers, and to detect breakage, damage, 
wear, or signs of corrosion; and corrective actions, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 42 Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 94-17-02 take 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the previously required actions on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $7,560, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The new actions that are required by this new AD will take 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $7,560, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

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 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:

[[Page 63267]]

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 removing amendment 39-8997 (59 FR 
41235, August 11, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-10219, to read as follows:

97-24-12  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10219. Docket : 96-NM-187-
AD. Supersedes AD 94-17-02, Amendment 39-8997.

    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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 thrust reverser control cables, which 
may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an 
uncommanded thrust reverser deployment while the airplane is in 
flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 hours time-in-service or 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an 
inspection to determine the tension of the control cables of the 
thrust reverser, in accordance with British Aerospace, Alert Service 
Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 1995. If the tension of any 
control cable is outside the limits specified in the alert service 
bulletin, prior to further flight, correct the tension of that cable 
in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat 
the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 hours time-in-
service or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
    (b) Within 100 hours time-in-service or 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an 
inspection to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion 
(swelling) of the control cable of the thrust reverser, in 
accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-
PM6031, dated January 18, 1995.
    (1) If no discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
lubricate the cables in accordance with the alert service bulletin. 
Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 
hours time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
    (2) If any control cable is damaged, is worn beyond the limits 
specified in the alert service bulletin, is corroded, or has a 
broken wire, prior to further flight, replace the discrepant cable 
with a serviceable cable, and lubricate the cables in accordance 
with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection 
at intervals not to exceed 2400 hours time-in-service or 12 months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 
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 51. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace (Operations) 
Ltd., trading as British Aerospace Airbus Ltd., P.O. Box 77, Bristol 
BS99 7AR, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 2, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 19, 1997.
Stewart R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31028 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U