[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52070-52072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-199-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 Series Airplanes 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 series airplanes and Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the standby 
generator with a new, improved standby generator. This action is 
prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information from a 
foreign airworthiness authority. This action is necessary to prevent 
loss of the standby generator, which in the event of an emergency 
involving the principal generator, could result in the loss of 
electrical power to the airplane. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket Number 2001-NM-199-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 Number 2001-NM-199-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: Tamra Elkins, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2669; 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-199-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-199-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

[[Page 52071]]

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 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA 
advises that testing has revealed that the armature banding rings on 
standby generators manufactured by Vickers have been found to 
delaminate after prolonged operation at high temperature. Vickers has 
introduced a replacement standby generator with armature banding rings 
made of titanium rather than of the original composite material. 
Delamination of the armature banding rings, if not corrected, could 
result in loss of the standby generator, which in the event of an 
emergency involving the principal generator, could result in loss of 
electrical power to the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Modification Service 
Bulletin SB.24-137-01691A, dated April 12, 2001, which describes 
procedures for replacement of the standby generator with a new, 
improved standby generator. The new unit has armature banding rings 
made from titanium in place of composite armature banding rings used in 
the original units. 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 004-04-2001, dated May 22, 
2001, 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 Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, 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 40 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 replacement of the 
standby generator with a new, improved standby generator, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. There is no charge for 
required parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,200, 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:

    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-199-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Avro 146-RJ 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, having BAe 
Modification HCM01059A (installation of a standby generator and 
control system manufactured by Vickers) embodied.

    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 prevent loss of the standby generator, which in the event of 
an emergency involving the principal generator could result in the 
loss of electrical power to the airplane; accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 43 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace the Vickers standby generator having part number (P/N) 
520829 with a new, improved Vickers standby generator having P/N 
3022049-000, in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.24-137-01691A, dated April 12, 
2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that

[[Page 52072]]

provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA. 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 2: 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 
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-04-2001, dated May 22, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 01-25620 Filed 10-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U