[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57600-57602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27940]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-201-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 modification of the 
engine intake ducts to provide new cable routes and improved 
contamination protection of connectors on the engine intake de-

[[Page 57601]]

icing system. 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 chafing and subsequent damage to the engine intake de-icing 
system wiring, and contamination of electrical connectors and plugs. 
Damage to system wiring or contamination of the electrical connectors 
or plugs could result in loss of engine intake de-icing capability, 
accretion of ice in the intake duct, ice ingestion, and consequent 
engine flameout.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-201-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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
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-201-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-201-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP 
airplanes. The CAA advises that there were six reports of failures, 
including four double failures, of the engine intake de-icing system. 
The failures were attributed to chafing and consequent damage to system 
wiring due to vibration within the engine, and contamination of 
electrical connectors and plugs by oil and water. Damage to system 
wiring or contamination of the electrical connectors or plugs could 
result in loss of engine intake de-icing capability, accretion of ice 
in the intake duct, ice ingestion, and consequent engine flameout.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin ATP-30-056, dated 
June 11, 1999. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
modification of the engine intake ducts to provide new cable routes and 
improved contamination protection of connectors on the engine intake 
de-icing system. The procedures for modification include inspection of 
cable looms, wires, electrical connectors, and associated hardware for 
damage; and replacement of damaged parts with new or serviceable parts. 
The service bulletin also specifies procedures to reroute and modify 
the flexible duct cable loom and inlet duct power loom, and to install 
new connector boots and backshells to seal electrical connectors. These 
procedures are intended to increase the reliability of the engine 
intake de-icing system by eliminating chafing of electrical wires and 
protecting electrical connectors from contamination. Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
    The British Aerospace service bulletin references Dunlop Limited 
Aviation Division Service Bulletin ACA1324-30-96, dated June 11, 1999, 
as an additional source of service information to accomplish the 
modification.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
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 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 56 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer 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 $33,600, or $3,360 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.

[[Page 57602]]

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 
99-NM-201-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 chafing and subsequent damage to the engine intake 
de-icing system wiring, and contamination of electrical connectors 
and plugs; which could result in loss of engine intake de-icing 
capability, accretion of ice in the intake duct, ice ingestion, and 
consequent engine flameout; accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the modification of the engine intake ducts (including 
inspection of the cable looms, wires, electrical connectors, and 
associated hardware for damage; replacement of damaged parts with 
new or serviceable parts; rerouting and modification of the flexible 
duct cable loom and inlet duct power loom; and installation of new 
connector boots and backshells on electrical connectors on the 
engine intake de-icing system) to provide new cable routes and 
improved contamination protection of connectors on the engine intake 
de-sicing system, in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin ATP-30-056, dated June 11, 1999.

    Note 2: British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-30-056, dated 
June 11, 1999, references Dunlop Limited Aviation Division Service 
Bulletin ACA1324-30-96, dated June 11, 1999, as an additional source 
of service information to accomplish the modification.

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.

    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 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 20, 1999.

N.B. Martenson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27940 Filed 10-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U