[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57972-57973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27789]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-27-AD; Amendment 39-11389; AD 99-22-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and 
Avro 146-RJ 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 BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ 
series airplanes, that requires installation of modified roller sub-
assemblies in both the main landing gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG 
uplock. 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 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: Effective December 2, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
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 all British Aerospace Model BAe 
146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on July 7, 1999 (64 FR 36626). That action proposed to require 
installation of modified roller sub-assemblies in both the main landing 
gear (MLG) door lock and the MLG uplock.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request to Include Alternate Modification

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the proposed AD 
allow reference to an improved roller which will be approved in the 
near future. British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, dated 
December 1, 1998, which is referenced in the proposed AD as the 
appropriate source of service information, introduces an interim 
standard roller for the main landing gear door lock and uplock 
(reference British Aerospace Modification HCM70656A). However, the 
commenter advises that an improved roller is to be introduced in the 
next two months as British Aerospace Modification HCM70656B. According 
to the commenter, this modification is being addressed with the Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority of the 
United Kingdom, and is expected to be approved as an alternative method 
of compliance. The commenter requests that this alternative 
modification be referenced in the AD in order to allow operators to 
readily take advantage of either method of compliance.
    The FAA concurs. The FAA has received additional information from 
the manufacturer regarding the acceptability of the improved roller 
described in British Aerospace Modification HCM70656B. This 
modification has now been approved by the CAA of the United Kingdom as 
an acceptable alternative method of compliance to installation of the 
standard roller described in Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A. 
Accordingly, the FAA has determined that Modification HCM70656B is an 
acceptable method of compliance for the requirements of this AD, and 
has added a ``NOTE'' to the final rule to provide such credit to 
operators. A reference to Modification HCM70656A has also been included 
in paragraph (a) of the AD to clarify the requirements of that 
paragraph.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted

[[Page 57973]]

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 45 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no 
cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
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 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:

99-22-11  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace 
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial 
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-11389. 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 (British Aerospace Modification 
HCM70656A), 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.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of British Aerospace Modification 
HCM70656B (installation of improved rollers) is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

    (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 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-150-70656A, dated December 1, 1998. 
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 
American Support, 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 005-12-98.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 2, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 19, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27789 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U