[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55350-55352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27597]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-216-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 inspections 
to detect wear damage on the nosewheel steering control cables located 
in the nosewheel bay of the nose landing gear (NLG); repetitive testing 
of the cable pulleys to detect seizing; and corrective action, if 
necessary. This proposal also would require repetitive replacement of 
the nosewheel steering control cables with new components. 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 failure of the 
nosewheel steering control cables, which could result in loss of the 
nosewheel steering or collapse of the NLG, and possible injury to the 
flightcrew and passengers.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-216-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-216-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-216-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 received a report of failure of the 
nosewheel steering control cables located in the nosewheel bay of the 
nose landing gear (NLG) on a BAe Model ATP airplane. This failure was 
due to excessively worn nosewheel steering control cables. Wear of 
these cables can be intensified by a high number of landings and 
discrepant pulleys in the nosewheel steering system, which can result 
in a shorter service life for these parts. In one case, after failure 
of a nosewheel steering control cable, the NLG developed a divergent 
shimmy of the nosewheels, which caused structural failure and collapse 
of the NLG. Such failure of the nosewheel steering control cables, if 
not corrected, could result in loss of the nosewheel steering or 
collapse of the NLG, and possible injury to the flightcrew and 
passengers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-
32-91, dated May 19, 1998, which describes procedures for repetitive 
visual and tactile inspections of the nosewheel steering control cables 
to detect excessive wear; repetitive testing of the cable pulleys to 
detect seizing; and corrective action [i.e., replacing the cable 
pulleys with new pulleys (if seized), and resetting the cable tension 
(if slack)], if necessary. The service bulletin also establishes a 
service life limit on the nosewheel steering control cables located at 
the top of the nosewheel bay, and describes procedures for repetitive 
replacement of the nosewheel steering control cables with new 
components. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the 
United Kingdom.

[[Page 55351]]

    The manufacturer also has issued British Aerospace Alert Service 
Bulletin, ATP-A32-90, dated March 21, 1998, as an additional source of 
service information for the accomplishment of the visual and tactile 
inspections of the nosewheel steering control cables to detect 
excessive wear; a circuit check of the nosewheel steering control cable 
system; and replacement of any discrepant cable or pulley with a 
serviceable part.

U.S. Type Certification of Airplane

    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.

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 service bulletin described previously.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, or $120 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $775 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement proposed by this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,150, or $1,015 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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-216-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers 
2002 through 2063 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 (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 failure of the nosewheel steering control cables, 
which could result in loss of the nosewheel steering or collapse of 
the nose landing gear (NLG), and possible injury to the flightcrew 
and passengers, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a visual and tactile inspection of the nosewheel 
steering control cables located in the nosewheel bay of the NLG to 
detect excessive wear, and test the cable pulleys for seizing, in 
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated 
May 19, 1998; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (a)(1) 
or (a)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspection and test at 
intervals not to exceed 1,800 flight hours, or 2,400 landings, 
whichever occurs first.
    (1) For airplanes on which the nosewheel steering control cables 
have accumulated 6,000 or more total flight hours, or 8,000 or more 
total landings as of the effective date of this AD, and for 
airplanes on which the time-in-service of the nosewheel steering 
control cables is unknown: Inspect and test within 600 flight hours 
or 800 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) For airplanes on which the nosewheel steering control cables 
have accumulated less than 6,000 total flight hours or 8,000 total 
landings as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect and test 
within 900 flight hours or 1,200 landings after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (b) If any cable wear is outside the limits specified in British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated May 19, 1998, or if any 
discrepant pulley is detected during any inspection or test required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the 
discrepant cable or pulley with a new component in accordance with 
the service bulletin. Thereafter, continue accomplishment of the 
actions required by paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD at the 
intervals specified in those paragraphs.
    (c) Replace the nosewheel steering control cables with new 
cables at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated May 19, 1998. Thereafter, repeat the 
replacement at intervals not to exceed 6,000 total flight hours or 
8,000 total landings on the nosewheel steering cables, whichever 
occurs first.
    (1) Within 900 flight hours or 1,200 landings after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 total flight hours or 
8,000 total landings on the nosewheel steering cables, whichever 
occurs first.


[[Page 55352]]


    Note 2: Accomplishment of the initial inspection or initial 
replacement of the nosewheel steering control cables prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace Alert 
Service Bulletin ATP-A32-90, dated March 21, 1998, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the initial inspection or initial 
replacement required by this AD.

    (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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27597 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U