[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17342-17344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9341]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-53-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP 
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 BAe 
Model ATP airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive magnetic 
particle inspections to detect cracking of the splined operating shaft 
of the internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear 
passenger door, and rear baggage door; and corrective actions, 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 
detect and correct cracking of the splined operating shaft of the 
internal door handle, which could result in failure of the internal 
door handle, inability to operate the door during an emergency 
evacuation, and consequent injury to airplane occupants.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

[[Page 17343]]

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-53-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 Number 98-NM-53-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 Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-53-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 BAe Model ATP 
airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received reports of failure of 
the splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on Type I 
exits. These failures have occurred when the door was being opened or 
closed. Further investigation revealed that the splined operating 
shafts failed due to cracking caused by high operating loads. Such 
cracking, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the 
splined operating shaft of the internal door handle, inability to 
operate the door during an emergency evacuation, and consequent injury 
to airplane occupants.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued British Aerospace Regional Aircraft BAe 
ATP Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A52-30, dated March 19, 1997, which 
describes procedures for magnetic particle inspections to detect 
cracking of the splined operating shafts of the internal door handles 
on the forward passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage 
door; and replacement of the existing splined operating shaft with a 
new shaft, if necessary. The CAA classified this alert service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directive 004-03-97 
(undated) in order to assure the airworthiness of these airplanes in 
the United Kingdom.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
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 
actions specified in the alert service bulletin described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, unlike the procedures described in the 
alert service bulletin, this proposed AD would not permit further 
flight if cracks are detected in the splined operating shaft of the 
internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear passenger 
door, or rear baggage door. The FAA has determined that, because of the 
safety implications and consequences associated with such cracking, any 
splined operating shaft found to be cracked must be replaced prior to 
further flight.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 18 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed magnetic particle 
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the magnetic particle inspection 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,800, or 
$1,080 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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

[[Page 17344]]

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 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:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket 
98-NM-53-AD.

    Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers 
2002 through 2067 inclusive; 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 (b) 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 cracking of the splined operating shaft of 
the internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear 
passenger door, and rear baggage door, which could result in failure 
of the internal door handle, inability to operate the door during an 
emergency evacuation, and consequent injury to airplane occupants; 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 flight cycles on the 
splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the forward 
passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door; or 
within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later; accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Perform a magnetic particle inspection to detect cracking of 
the splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the 
forward passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door, 
in accordance with British Aerospace Regional Aircraft BAe ATP Alert 
Service Bulletin ATP-A52-30, dated March 19, 1997.
    (i) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, accomplish 
the actions required by paragraph (a)(2).
    (ii) If no crack is found, repeat the actions required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight 
cycles.
    (2) Replace the existing splined operating shaft with a new 
splined operating shaft, in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin. Repeat the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
within 2,000 flight cycles after the replacement, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles.
    (b) 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 request 
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.

    (c) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-03-97 (undated).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9341 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U