[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69967-69969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-347-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).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAe 
146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal would require a 
one-time inspection to detect cracking or corrosion of the forward 
attachment bolts of the engine pylon to wing interface, and corrective 
action, if necessary. It would also require re-installation with re-
protected and sealed bolts torqued to a lower level. 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 detect and correct corrosion or 
cracking of the forward attachment bolts of the engine pylon to wing 
interface, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
engine pylon attachment.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 14, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-347-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-347-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-347-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 all British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and 
Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA advises that in-service airplanes 
have suffered a total of eight failures of engine pylon to wing forward 
attachment bolts, due to corrosion in the bolt head undercut. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the engine pylon attachment.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin SB.54-10, dated 
September 16,

[[Page 69968]]

1999, which describes procedures for a one-time dye penetrant or 
magnetic particle inspection to detect cracking, and a one-time 
detailed visual inspection to detect corrosion, of the forward 
attachment bolts of the engine pylon to wing interface. If any cracking 
is found, the bolts are to be replaced with new parts. If any corrosion 
is found, the bolts are to be cleaned or replaced with new parts, 
depending on the location and severity of the corrosion. The service 
bulletin also details re-installation with re-protected and sealed 
bolts torqued to a lower level. 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 and issued British airworthiness directive 006-09-99 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 section 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 35 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work 
hours (including removal and reinstallation of the engines) per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,000, 
or $1,200 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, 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-347-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 (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 detect and correct cracking or corrosion of the forward 
attachment bolts of the engine pylon to wing interface, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the engine pylon 
attachment, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (a) Within 4 years since date of manufacture, or within 2,000 
flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later: Perform applicable inspections (dye penetrant, magnetic 
particle, and detailed visual) to detect discrepancies (including 
damage, cracking, and corrosion) of the forward attachment bolts of 
the engine pylon to wing interface on each engine, in accordance 
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.54-10, dated September 
16, 1999. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
perform applicable corrective actions in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

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

[[Page 69969]]

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 
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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 006-09-99.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 9, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-32511 Filed 12-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U