[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15076-15078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8131]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-163-AD; Amendment 39-10424; AD 98-07-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A, 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 certain British Aerospace
[[Page 15077]]
Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A, and Model Avro 146-RJ series
airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections of the attachment
brackets between the horizontal and vertical stabilizers to detect
intergranular corrosion, and follow-on actions. 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 detect and correct reduced structural integrity
of the stabilizer brackets due to corrosion, which could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective May 4, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 4, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
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) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A, and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes
was published in the Federal Register on January 29, 1998 (63 FR 4404).
That action proposed to require repetitive inspections of the
attachment brackets between the horizontal and vertical stabilizers to
detect intergranular corrosion, and follow-on actions.
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
The FAA estimates that 40 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 cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,400, or $60 per
airplane, per inspection cycle.
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.
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:
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:
98-07-06 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited [Formerly
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial
Aircraft Limited]: Amendment 39-10424. Docket 97-NM-163-AD.
Applicability: Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A, and Model
Avro 146-RJ series airplanes; certificated in any category; having
the following constructors numbers:
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Model Constructors numbers
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BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A...... All.
Avro 146-RJ70/70A................... All up to and including E1267.
Avro 146-RJ85/85A................... All up to and including E2300.
Avro 146-RJ100/100A................. All up to and including E3301.
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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 (e) 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 detect and correct reduced structural integrity of the
stabilizer attachment brackets due to corrosion, which could result
in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Perform an inspection to detect corrosion of the attachment
brackets between the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, in
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.55-15, dated
April 14, 1997, at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2),
or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the
inspection at intervals not to exceed 12,000 flight cycles or 4
years after the initial inspection, whichever occurs first.
(1) For Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes
having constructors numbers identified in paragraph D.(1)(a) of the
Planning Information section of the service bulletin: Inspect within
20 months after the effective date of this AD.
[[Page 15078]]
(2) For Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes
having constructors numbers identified in paragraph D.(1)(b) of the
Planning Information section of the service bulletin: Inspect within
32 months after the effective date of this AD.
(3) For Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes
and Avro 146-RJ70A, -85A, and -100A airplanes having constructors
numbers identified in paragraph D.(1)(c) of the Planning Information
section of the service bulletin: Inspect within 44 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(b) If no corrosion is detected, prior to further flight,
restore the original protective treatment and apply additional
surface protection to the attachment brackets, in accordance with
British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.55-15, dated April 14, 1997.
(c) If any corrosion is detected and it is accessible, prior to
further flight, blend out the corrosion, re-protect the blended
areas, and apply additional surface protection to the attachment
brackets in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.55-15, dated April 14, 1997.
(d) If any corrosion is detected and it is not accessible, or
if, after blending, the damage to the attachment brackets is found
to be outside the limits identified in British Aerospace Service
Bulletin SB.55-15, dated April 14, 1997, prior to further flight,
repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(e) 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.
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.
(f) 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.
(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.55-15, dated April 14, 1997. 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 AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 001-04-97 (undated).
(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 4, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8131 Filed 3-27-98; 8:45 am]
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