[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54774-54776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25929]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-345-AD; Amendment 39-11361; AD 99-21-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP 
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 BAe Model ATP airplanes, that 
requires repetitive replacements of the weight on wheels microswitch 
harness subassembly with a new microswitch harness subassembly. 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 a nose wheel shimmy, which 
could result in the collapse of the nose landing gear during takeoff or 
landing and possible injury to the flightcrew and passengers.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 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 BAe 
Model ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 
1999 (64 FR 38156). That action proposed to require repetitive 
replacements of the weight on wheels

[[Page 54775]]

microswitch harness subassembly with a new microswitch harness 
subassembly.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    The commenter states that the full name and address from which 
service information is obtained has changed. The FAA concurs and has 
changed the service information name and address to British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
    The commenter also states that the British Aerospace Alert Service 
Bulletin ATP-A32-93, dated October 3, 1998, has been revised to include 
a reference to revised Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin 200-32-
257, which is now at Revision No. 2. British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999, does not contain any 
changes except for reference to the revised Messier-Dowty Limited 
Service Bulletin. The revision to the Messier-Dowty Limited Service 
Bulletin introduces a revised and clarified set-up and test procedure 
using different (but readily available) test equipment. Since these 
changes are considered minor, and since they clarify and improve the 
original service bulletin, the commenter requests that British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999, be 
referenced in the AD.
    The FAA concurs with the request to include the cited revised 
service information. The final rule is revised to require 
accomplishment of the actions in accordance with British Aerospace 
Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999. A note is included 
in the final rule to allow accomplishment of the actions in accordance 
with the earlier British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-93, 
dated October 3, 1998, prior to the effective date of this AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$5,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $54,800, or $5,480 per airplane, 
per replacement 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 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:

99-21-16 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-11361. Docket 98-NM-345-AD.

    Applicability: BAe Model 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 (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 prevent a nose wheel shimmy, which could result in the 
collapse of the nose landing gear during takeoff or landing and 
possible injury to the flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the 
following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 4 years after the initial installation of the weight 
on wheels microswitch harness subassembly or 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the 
weight on wheels microswitch harness subassembly with a new 
microswitch harness subassembly in accordance with British Aerospace 
Service Bulletin ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999. Repeat 
the replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4 years.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the replacement in accordance with 
British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-93, dated October 
3, 1998, prior to the effective date of this AD, is acceptable for 
compliance with this paragraph.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.


[[Page 54776]]


    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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 
1999. 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 Regional 
Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 014-10-98.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25929 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P