[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59390-59392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-186-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 Series Airplanes and Model 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 modifying the engine start circuit. This action is 
necessary to prevent overheating of the soft start resistor of the 
engine start circuit, which could result in smoke and fumes in the 
cabin and consequent injury to passengers and crew. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-186-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. 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-186-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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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

[[Page 59391]]

Docket 2001-NM-186-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 2001-NM-186-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 that existing 
crew and maintenance procedures are inadequate because they have 
repeatedly failed to protect the soft start resistor of the engine 
start circuit from overheating in the event of component failures. In 
the worst cases, smoke and fumes have entered the cabin. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in injury to passengers and 
crew.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems has issued the modification service bulletins listed in 
the following table:

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                                    Modification
          Model/series            service bulletin              Revision                        Date
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BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ........  SB.80-18-50293A...  Original.....................  January 18, 2001
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ........  SB.80-018-50293A..  1............................  July 4, 2001
BAe 146 series 100.............  SB.80-019-50293B..  Original.....................  July 6, 2001
BAe 146 series 200.............  SB.80-020-50293C..  Original.....................  July 6, 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the engine 
start circuit. The modification includes modifying the electrical 
busbar; installing new relays and a relay mounting assembly, terminal 
junction module, and change-over contactor; and installing and 
rerouting certain wire assemblies. 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 003-
01-2001 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 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 65 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 18 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost for required parts 
would be approximately $7,300. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $544,700, or 
$8,380 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-186-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that have been modified in accordance 
with BAE Systems Modification HCM00810A, HCM60031A, or HCM60033L.

    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

[[Page 59392]]

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 overheating of the soft start resistor of the engine 
start circuit, which could result in smoke and fumes in the cabin 
and consequent injury to passengers and crew, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the engine start circuit (including modifying the electrical busbar; 
installing new relays and relay mounting assembly, terminal junction 
module, and change-over contactor; and installing and rerouting 
certain wire assemblies) as specified by paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), 
or (a)(3), as applicable, of this AD.
    (1) For Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes on which 
BAE Systems Modification HCM00810A has been incorporated: Do the 
modification in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-18-50293A, dated January 18, 
2001; or SB.80-018-50293A, Revision 1, dated July 4, 2001.
    (2) For Model BAe 146 series 100 series airplanes on which BAE 
Systems Modification HCM60031A has been incorporated: Do the 
modification in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-019-50293B, dated July 6, 2001.
    (3) For Model BAe 146 series 200 airplanes on which BAE Systems 
Modification HCM60033L has been incorporated: Do the modification in 
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification 
Service Bulletin SB.80-020-50293C, dated July 6, 2001.

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, 
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 
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 003-01-2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29599 Filed 11-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U