[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34571-34572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16450]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-51-AD; Amendment 39-10617; AD 98-13-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 
and 400 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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series 
airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed visual inspections to 
detect cracking in the trunnion fittings located in the nose landing 
gear (NLG) bay of the forward fuselage; 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 detect and correct cracking in the 
trunnion fittings of the NLG, which could lead to collapse of the NLG 
during takeoff and landing, and possible injury to the flight crew and 
passengers.

DATES: Effective July 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace, Service Support, Airbus Limited, P.O. 
Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, England. 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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-
11 200 and 400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on April 21, 1998 (63 FR 19682). That action proposed to require 
repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect cracking in the 
trunnion fittings located in the nose landing gear (NLG) bay of the 
forward fuselage; 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.

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 42 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 these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,520, 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

[[Page 34572]]

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:

98-13-26  British Aerospace Airbus Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft 
Group): Amendment 39-10617. Docket 98-NM-51-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, 
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 (c) 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 in the trunnion fittings of the 
nose landing gear (NLG), which could lead to collapse of the NLG 
during takeoff and landing, and possible injury to the flight crew 
and passengers, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a detailed visual inspection for cracking on the 
left- and right-hand trunnion fittings of the NLG, in the area of 
the trunnion cap attachment holes, in accordance with British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6035, Revision 1, dated 
March 7, 1996; at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) 
of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes on which British Aerospace Modification PM5308 
has not been accomplished: Perform the inspection within 6 years 
after the effective date of this AD, or within 11 years after the 
last inspection accomplished in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin, whichever occurs later. Repeat the inspection thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 11 years.
    (2) For airplanes on which British Aerospace Modification PM5308 
has been accomplished: Perform the inspection within 30 months after 
the effective date of this AD, or within 5 years after the last 
inspection accomplished in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin, whichever occurs later. Repeat the inspection thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 6 years.
    (b) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair the crack 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6035, Revision 1, dated 
March 7, 1996. 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 British Aerospace, 
Service Support, Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, 
England. 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 004-03-96, dated April 26, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 15, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16450 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U