[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5721-5723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2649]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 26 / Thursday, February 7, 2002 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 5721]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-05-AD; Amendment 39-12631; AD 2002-02-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 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 
series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect 
cracking of the horizontal butt joint of the rear pressure bulkhead and 
repair, as necessary. This amendment also requires installation of new 
joint plates on the aft face of the rear pressure bulkhead, which 
terminates the requirements of this AD. 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: Effective March 14, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 14, 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: 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: 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 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on September 14, 2001 (66 FR 47899). That action proposed to 
require repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the horizontal 
butt joint of the rear pressure bulkhead and repair, as necessary. That 
action also proposed to require installation of new joint plates on the 
aft face of the rear pressure bulkhead, which terminates the repetitive 
inspections.

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.

Clarification of Compliance Times

    Since the issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the 
FAA has found that paragraphs (a)(1) and (d)(1) of the NPRM need to be 
clarified. Paragraph (a)(1) of the NPRM requires that the initial 
inspection of the horizontal butt joint of the rear pressure bulkhead 
be accomplished ``Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 flight cycles * * 
*.'' Paragraph (d)(1) of the NPRM requires that the modification of the 
rear pressure bulkhead be accomplished ``Prior to the accumulation of 
40,000 flight cycles * * *.'' It was our intent that those actions be 
accomplished prior to the applicable ``total'' flight cycles. 
Therefore, we have revised paragraphs (a)(1) and (d)(1) of the final 
rule to specify total flight cycles.

Clarification of Terminating Action

    Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has also determined that 
the terminating action specified in paragraph (e) of the NPRM needs to 
be clarified. That paragraph states, ``Accomplishment of paragraph (d) 
of this AD terminates the need for repetitive inspections as specified 
in paragraph (b) of this AD.'' However, the installation required by 
paragraph (d) of this AD, as specified in BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.53-42-00713A, Revision 2, 
dated November 3, 2000 (which is referenced as an appropriate source of 
service information in this AD), also terminates the requirements of 
paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD. Therefore, we have revised paragraph 
(e) of the final rule to state, ``Accomplishment of the installation 
required by paragraph (d) of this AD constitutes terminating action for 
the requirements of this AD.'' We have also changed the Summary section 
of this AD accordingly.

Changes Made to Paragraph (c) of This AD

    Since the issuance of the NPRM, we have found that paragraph (c) of 
the NPRM needs to be clarified. It was our intent that the repair may 
also be done per a method approved by the CAA's delegated agent. 
Therefore, we have included that language in paragraph (c) of this AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required 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 required inspection on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $480, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 9 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the

[[Page 5722]]

required 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 required 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 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 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:

2002-02-03  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12631. Docket 2001-NM-05-
AD.

    Applicability: 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 
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 (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 total flight cycles; or
    (2) Within 4,000 total 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 any crack is detected during a detailed visual inspection 
required by either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, prior to further 
flight, repair the crack in a manner approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated agent).

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 total flight cycles, or
    (2) Within 6,000 flight cycles or 2 years after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Terminating Action

    (e) Accomplishment of the installation required by paragraph (d) 
of this AD constitutes terminating action for the requirements 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (h) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-42, Revision 1, dated November 3, 
2000; and BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service 
Bulletin SB.53-42-00713A, Revision 2, dated November 3, 2000; as 
applicable. (Only the first page of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.53-42-00713A, Revision 2, is dated; 
no other page of the document contains this information.) 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

[[Page 5723]]

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 002-11-2000.

Effective Date

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on March 14, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2649 Filed 2-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U