[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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P