[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 179 (Friday, September 14, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47899-47901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23069]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 179 / Friday, September 14, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 47899]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAE 146 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 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the horizontal butt joint 
of the rear pressure bulkhead and repair, as necessary. This proposal 
also would require installation of new joint plates on the aft face of 
the rear pressure bulkhead, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspections. This action is necessary to prevent cracking of the 
horizontal butt joint of the rear pressure bulkhead, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket Number 2001-NM-05-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 985-46. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 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 Number 2001-NM-05-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 
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-05-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 Number 2001-NM-05-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 Series Airplanes series airplanes. The CAA advises that 
cracking of the horizontal butt joint on the forward and rear faces of 
the rear pressure bulkhead has been observed. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-42, Revision 1, 
dated November 3, 2000, which describes procedures for initial and 
repetitive detailed visual inspections for cracking of the horizontal 
butt joint on the forward and rear faces of the rear pressure bulkhead. 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has also issued BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.53-42-00713A, 
Revision 2, dated November 3, 2000, which describes procedures for 
installation of new joint plates at the circumferential crack stopper 
butt joints on the rear pressure bulkhead. Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the service bulletins is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified these 
service bulletins as mandatory and issued British airworthiness 
directive 002-11-2000, in order to assure the continued

[[Page 47900]]

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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed detailed visual inspection of the horizontal butt joints 
on the forward and rear faces of the rear pressure bulkhead, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $480, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It would take approximately 9 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed installation of new butt joints on the rear pressure 
bulkhead, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The estimated 
cost of the required parts is $495. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed installation on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $8,280, or $1,035 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:

    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-05-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAE 
146 series airplanes on which Modification HCM00713A has not been 
accomplished, 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 (f) 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 cracking of the horizontal butt joint of the rear 
pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Initial Inspection

    (a) Conduct a detailed visual inspection for cracking of the 
horizontal butt joint of the rear pressure bulkhead, in accordance 
with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 
ISB.53-42, Revision 1, dated November 3, 2000, at the later of the 
times specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 flight cycles; or
    (2) Within 4,000 flight cycles or 2 years after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

    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.''

Repetitive Inspections

    (b) Repeat the detailed visual inspection specified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 12,000 flight cycles.

Repair

    (c) If cracks are detected during a detailed visual inspection 
required by either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, prior to further 
flight, repair the cracks in a manner approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate; or 
the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Modification

    (d) Install new joint plates on the rear pressure bulkhead, in 
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification 
Service Bulletin SB.53-42-00713A, Revision 2, dated November 3, 
2000, at the later of the times specified in paragraph (d)(1) or 
(d)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 40,000 flight cycles, or
    (2) Within 6,000 flight cycles or 2 years after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

[[Page 47901]]

Terminating Action

    (e) Accomplishment of paragraph (d) of this AD terminates the 
need for repetitive inspections as specified in paragraph (b) of 
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) 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

    (g) 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 002-11-2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-23069 Filed 9-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U