[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30103-30105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14046]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAe Systems (Operations) Limited 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 certain BAe Systems (Operations) 
Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal 
would require identifying the discharge valves and cabin pressure 
controllers, and replacing them with new parts if necessary. This 
action is necessary to prevent the installation of incorrect 
pressurization discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which 
could subject the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the 
airframe fatigue life. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-06-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-06-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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

[[Page 30104]]

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-06-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. 2001-NM-06-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA advises of two 
reports indicating that incorrect front and/or rear pressurization 
discharge valves were found installed on some affected airplanes. In 
addition, it is possible that some operators may have installed 
incorrect flight deck-mounted cabin pressure controllers. Because of 
pressurization problems associated with use of the incorrect discharge 
valves and cabin pressure controllers, the airframe may be subject to 
excess stress. This condition, if not corrected, could adversely affect 
the airframe fatigue life.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, 
Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001, which describes procedures for 
identifying the part numbers of the front and rear pressurization 
discharge valves and the cabin pressure controllers, and replacing any 
incorrect part with a new, correct part. For airplanes installed with 
certain auto-pressurization equipment (installed during BAe Systems 
Modification HCM50258A), the service bulletin recommends limiting the 
airplane ceiling until the incorrect parts can be replaced. 
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 003-11-2000 to ensure 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 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 20 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 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 
$3,600, or $180 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

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:


[[Page 30105]]


    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:

BAe Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft): Docket 2001-NM-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as listed in BAe Systems (Operations) 
Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated 
February 6, 2001.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 the installation of incorrect pressurization 
discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which could subject 
the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the airframe 
fatigue life, accomplish the following:

Parts Identification

    (a) As specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as applicable, 
of this AD: Identify the part numbers of the pressurization 
discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers to determine if any 
installed part is incorrect, as defined by and in accordance with 
BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-
148, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001.
    (1) For airplanes post-Modification HCM50258A: Identify the part 
numbers within 30 days after the effective date of this AD; and, if 
any part is incorrect, limit the airplane ceiling to 31,000 feet 
until the incorrect part is replaced, as specified by paragraph (b) 
of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes pre-Modification HCM50258A: Identify the part 
numbers within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (b) For any incorrect part identified in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 500 flight cycles thereafter, 
replace it with a new, correct part, in accordance with BAe Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, 
Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001. Prior to further flight 
thereafter, perform a structural inspection and accomplish 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with a method approved 
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC) (or its delegated agent).

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions specified in this AD in 
accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.21-148, dated November 17, 2000, is also acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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. 
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 
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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 003-11-2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 30, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14046 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U