[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16447-16448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8706]



[[Page 16447]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-52-AD]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model 
BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This 
proposal would require a one-time inspection to detect corrosion of the 
threads of the eyebolt and piston rod on the retraction jack of the 
main landing gear (MLG); and repair, if necessary. This proposal is 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent corrosion of the threads of the 
eyebolt and piston rod on the retraction jack of the MLG, which may 
cause the eyebolt to detach from the jack, and consequent unrestrained 
MLG deployment or inability to retract the MLG.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-52-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

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: 

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket 98-NM-52-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned 
to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airport Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-52-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 series 
airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA advises that 
it has received reports of corrosion of the threads of the eyebolt and 
piston rod on the retraction jack of the main landing gear (MLG) on in-
service airplanes. Investigation has revealed that MLG retraction jacks 
manufactured after 1993 have had improved corrosion protection applied 
during manufacture and should not be susceptible to corrosion. However, 
MLG retraction jacks manufactured prior to 1993 did not have sufficient 
corrosion protection applied during manufacture and, therefore, may be 
susceptible to corrosion on the eyebolt and piston rod. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in detachment of the eyebolt from the 
jack, and consequent unrestrained MLG deployment or inability to 
retract the MLG.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 
1, dated October 6, 1997, which describes procedures for a one-time 
visual inspection to detect corrosion of the threads of the eyebolt and 
piston rod on the retraction of the MLG; and repair, if necessary. 
Procedures for the reinstallation of the retraction jack of the MLG 
include the application of jointing and sealing compounds for improved 
corrosion protection. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. The CAA classified the service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued British airworthiness directive 006-09-97 (undated) in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom.
    The service bulletin references Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics-
Cheltenham Service Bulletin 146-32-507, dated August 1, 1997, as an 
additional source of service information to accomplish the inspection 
and repair.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in the United States and are 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined 
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the British Aerospace service bulletin 
described previously, except as discussed below.

[[Page 16448]]

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the Dowty Aerospace 
Hydraulics-Cheltenham Service Bulletin specifies that Messier-Dowty 
Limited may be contacted for disposition of repair for corrosion 
detected in areas other than those detailed in the service bulletin, 
this proposal would require the repair of those areas to be 
accomplished in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 25 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,500, or $60 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 30 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 30.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace Division; 
British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft 
Limited): Docket 98-NM-52-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 
146-RJ series airplanes, as listed in British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6, 1997, 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 (d) 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 corrosion of the threads of the eyebolt and piston 
rod on the retraction jack of the main landing gear (MLG), which may 
cause the eyebolt to detach from the jack, and consequent 
unrestrained MLG deployment or inability to retreat the MLG, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a one-time visual inspection to detect corrosion of 
the threads of the eyebolt and piston rod on the retraction jack of 
the MLG, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6, 1997, at the time specified 
in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable. 
Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, if any corrosion is 
detected: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (1) For MLG retraction jacks that have accumulated more than 7 
and less than 9 years since date of manufacture: Inspect within 2 
years after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For MLG retraction jacks that have accumulated 9 or more 
years since date of manufacture: Inspect within 1 year after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) For MLG retraction jacks other than those identified in 
paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, and other than those MLG 
retraction jacks having Part/Type No. 104628003 with serial numbers 
DH/0029/93 (where ``93'' identifies the year of manufacture) and 
subsequent: Inspect within 6 years since date of manufacture, or 
within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later.

    Note 2: British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 
1, dated October 6, 1997, references Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics--
Cheltenham Service Bulletin 146-32-507, dated August 1, 1997, as an 
additional source of service information to accomplish the 
inspection and repair.

    (b) If any corrosion is detected during the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD in areas other than those detailed in 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated 
October 6, 1997: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an eyebolt or piston rod on the retraction jack of the MLG on any 
airplane unless it has been modified in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6, 
1997.
    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 006-09-97 (undated).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8706 Filed 4-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M