[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 68 (Friday, April 7, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18260-18261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8686]



[[Page 18260]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-230-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 repetitive inspections 
to detect discrepancies of the downlock support assembly and attachment 
of the nose landing gear (NLG), and of the bulkhead and adjacent 
structure in the NLG bay; and corrective action, if necessary. 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 damage 
of the NLG downlock support, which could result in collapse of the NLG 
and consequent injury to passengers or flightcrew.

DATES:  Comments must be received by May 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-230-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 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-230-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-230-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority, which is the airworthiness authority 
for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes. The CAA 
advises that the downlock structure of the nose landing gear (NLG) has 
been found damaged. The exact cause of the damage has not yet been 
determined. This condition, if not corrected, could result in collapse 
of the NLG and consequent injury to passengers or flightcrew.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin ATP-53-36, Revision 
1, dated February 21, 2000, which describes procedures for repetitive 
general visual inspections to detect discrepancies of the downlock 
support assembly and attachment of the NLG, and of the bulkhead and 
adjacent structure in the NLG bay; and corrective action, if necessary. 
Discrepancies for which to inspect include damage of the NLG downlock 
support, downlock backup structure, and attachment locations; damage or 
loose nuts and bolts of the NLG downlock attachment; and damage of the 
bulkhead 378FS web, boundary angles, and attachment locations, and the 
airplane skin attached to bulkhead 378FS. Corrective actions include 
repair of any damage and torquing of any loose nut or bolt to the 
limits specified in the service bulletin. 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 006-06-99, in 
order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the 
United Kingdom.

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 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 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours 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 
$2,400, or $240 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no

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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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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-230-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 detect and correct damage of the nose landing gear (NLG) 
downlock support, which could result in collapse of the NLG, and 
consequent injury to passengers or flightcrew, accomplish the 
following:

Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Action

    (a) Within 6 months or 750 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a general visual 
inspection to detect discrepancies (e.g., damage, or loose nuts or 
bolts) of the NLG downlock support assembly, bulkhead, attachment 
locations, and adjacent structure in the NLG bay; in accordance with 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-53-36, Revision 1, dated 
February 21, 2000. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals 
not to exceed 2 years or 3,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs 
first.
    (1) If any damage is found during any inspection in accordance 
with paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If any loose nut or bolt is found during any inspection in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
torque the affected nut or bolt to the limits specified in the 
service bulletin, in accordance with the service bulletin.


    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''


    Note 3: Inspections and corrective actions accomplished prior to 
the effective date of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace 
Service Bulletin ATP-53-36, dated June 9, 1999, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions specified in 
this amendment.

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 4: 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 006-06-99.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8686 Filed 4-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P