[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4332-4333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-150-AD; Amendment 39-12614; AD 2002-01-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146-200A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-
200A series airplanes, that requires replacement of the signal summing 
units (SSUs) for the stall identification system with new, improved 
parts. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent stall 
identification and stall warning signals from occurring at the same 
time, leading the flight crew to take action based on erroneous 
information, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective March 6, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on October 29, 2001 (66 FR 54466). That action 
proposed to require replacement of the signal summing units (SSUs) for 
the stall identification system with new, improved parts.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost between $23,747 and 
$29,688 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $285,684 and $356,976, or 
between $23,807 and $29,748 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not

[[Page 4333]]

have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

2002-01-20  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12614. Docket 2001-NM-
150-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes, as listed in 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin 
SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2001; 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 (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 stall identification and stall warning signals from 
occurring at the same time, leading the flight crew to take action 
based on erroneous information, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace 
signal summing units (SSUs), part number C81606-3, for the stall 
identification system with new SSUs having part number C81606-5, 
according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service 
Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2001.

    Note 2: Replacement of SSUs having part number C81606-3 with new 
SSUs having part number C81606-5 accomplished according to British 
Aerospace Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 
1, dated November 12, 1990; or Revision 2, dated February 4, 2000; 
is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an SSU, part number C81606-3, on any airplane.

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, 
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 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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, 
Revision 3, dated March 19, 2001. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen 
Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 009-06-90.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 6, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2002.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1818 Filed 1-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U