[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30115-30117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14217]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-10554; AD 98-11-29]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 series airplanes 
and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires 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 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 
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: Effective July 8, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 8, 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 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on April 3, 1998 (63 FR 16447). That 
action proposed to 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, and repair, 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.

[[Page 30116]]

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 25 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 inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on this figure, the cost impact 
of the 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 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:

    98-11-29  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace 
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial 
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-10554. 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 retract 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6, 
1997, which contains the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Revision level                        
   Page number shown on page      shown on page     Date shown on page  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1, 2..........................  1..............  Oct. 6, 1997.         
3-7............................  Original.......  Sept. 18, 1997.       
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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

[[Page 30117]]

the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
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suite 700, Washington, DC.

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

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14217 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U