[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34633-34635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12071]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-48-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 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 all BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal 
would require replacement of the existing ``Low Temp'' terminal blocks 
``G'' with new, fireproof ceramic terminal blocks ``G'' in engine zones 
412, 422, 432, and 442. This action is necessary to prevent failure of 
the engine fire detection and suppression systems to operate properly 
in the event of a fire due to failure of non-fireproof terminal blocks, 
which could result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire in an 
engine. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 14, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-48-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. 2002-NM-48-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,

[[Page 34634]]

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 Docket Number 2002-NM-48-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 No. 2002-NM-48-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 all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 
146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The CAA advises that an 
investigation into the use of ``Low Temp'' terminal blocks ``G'' in 
engine zones 412, 422, 432, and 442, has revealed that those blocks are 
made of a non-fireproof material and do not meet the fireproof 
requirements of these engine zones. The CAA advises that, in the event 
of a fire in the engine, the existing ``Low Temp'' terminal blocks 
``G'' could melt, which could prevent electricity from reaching the 
fire detection and suppression systems. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the engine fire detection and 
suppression systems to operate properly in the event of a fire, and 
consequent undetected and uncontrollable fire in an engine.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin SB.71-
077-01693A, dated October 10, 2001, which describes procedures for 
replacing the existing ``Low Temp'' terminal blocks ``G'' with new, 
fireproof ceramic terminal blocks ``G'' in engine zones 412, 422, 432, 
and 442. 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 005-10-2001 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, 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 these type designs 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 designs 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 55 Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane (1 hour per 
engine, 4 engines 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 negligible. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $13,200, or $240 
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 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.

[[Page 34635]]

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: Docket 2002--NM-48--AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAe 146 and Avro 146--RJ series 
airplanes, 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 failure of the engine fire detection and suppression 
systems to operate properly in the event of a fire, which could 
result in an undetected and uncontrollable fire in an engine, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 21 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the existing ``Low Temp'' terminal blocks ``G'' with new, 
fireproof ceramic terminal blocks ``G,'' part number S3409-872, in 
engine zones 412, 422, 432, and 442; per BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Service Bulletin SB.71-077-01693A, dated October 10, 2001.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a ``Low Temp'' terminal block ``G,'' part number S3402-010, 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 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

    (d) 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 005-10-2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 8, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12071 Filed 5-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P