[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36626-36628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17178]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and 
Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace model BAe 
146 and

[[Page 36627]]

Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal would require installation 
of modified roller sub-assemblies in both the main landing gear (MLG) 
door lock and the MLG uplock. 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 roller sub-assemblies, which could 
result in failure of the MLG to retract and lock after takeoff, or to 
deploy properly for landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 6, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-27-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 99-NM-27-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. 99-NM-27-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 all British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Avro 
146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA advises that a report has been 
received indicating that the roller sub-assembly fitted in the main 
landing gear (MLG) door lock cracked and broke into segments. A roller 
sub-assembly of the same type is also fitted in the MLG uplock, and 
cracks have been reported in that location also. Dowty Hydraulics has 
established that the cracks were initiated during the manufacturing 
process. Modified rollers, which use a different manufacturing assembly 
process, are now available. Cracked or broken roller assemblies, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the MLG to retract and lock after 
takeoff, or to deploy properly for landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, 
dated December 1, 1998, which describes procedures for installation of 
modified roller sub-assemblies in both the MLG door lock and the MLG 
uplock. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
are intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British 
airworthiness directive 005-12-98, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and 
are type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of Sec. 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 service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 45 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 12 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $32,400, 
or $720 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,

[[Page 36628]]

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 British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace Division; 
British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft 
Limited): Docket 99-NM-27-AD.
    Applicability: All Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ 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 prevent failure of the roller sub-assemblies in both the main 
landing gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG uplock, which could result in 
failure of the MLG to retract and lock after takeoff, or to deploy 
properly for landing, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Install a modified roller sub-assembly in the MLG door lock 
unit and the MLG uplock unit, in accordance with British Aerospace 
Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, dated December 1, 1998, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or 
(a)(4) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 30,000 total flight 
cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD: Within six 
months after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 26,000 or more, but 
fewer than 30,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of 
this AD: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes that have accumulated 22,000 or more, but 
fewer than 26,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of 
this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (4) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 22,000 total 
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months 
after the accumulation of 22,000 total flight cycles.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a MLG door lock assembly, part number 200898001 or 
200898002, or a MLG uplock assembly, part number 200885001 or 
200885002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 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 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 005-12-98.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-17178 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P