[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4902-4904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1955]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-48-AD; Amendment 39-13034; AD 2003-03-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ 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 all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and 
Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires 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: Effective March 7, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 7, 2003.

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 all BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on May 15, 2002 (67 FR 34633). That action 
proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.

Request To Extend the Compliance Time

    One commenter requests that the FAA extend the compliance time for 
the replacement in the proposed AD from 21 months to July 31, 2004, 
(the equivalent of an additional 12 months). The commenter states that 
the request is based upon limited parts availability and feedback from 
large fleet operators. The commenter also states that the Civil 
Aviation Authority for the United Kingdom has approved the extension of 
the compliance time for airplanes operating in the United Kingdom.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. We have verified that 
the lead time for obtaining the required modification parts will exceed 
the proposed compliance time of 21 months. In light of this situation, 
we will extend the compliance time from 21 months to 31 months after 
the effective date of this AD. We have determined that such an 
extension will accommodate the time necessary for affected operators to 
order and obtain the replacement parts, without adversely affecting 
safety. We have revised paragraph (a) of this AD accordingly.

Explanation of New Relevant Service Information

    Since issuance of the proposed AD, the manufacturer has issued BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin SB.71-077-01693A, 
Revision 1, dated March 28, 2002; and Revision 2, dated May 28, 2002. 
The proposed rule

[[Page 4903]]

referenced the original issue of this service bulletin, dated October 
10, 2001, as the appropriate source of service information for the 
proposed replacement. We find that the procedures described in Revision 
1 and Revision 2 of the service bulletin are essentially the same as 
those in the original issue. Therefore, we have revised paragraph (a) 
of the final rule to reference Revision 2 of the service bulletin as 
the appropriate source of service information. We have also included a 
new paragraph (b) to this final rule (and re-lettered subsequent 
paragraphs accordingly) to give credit for replacements accomplished 
before the effective date of this AD per the original issue or Revision 
1 of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 55 Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane (1 hour per engine, 4 engines 
per airplane) to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost for required parts will be 
negligible. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 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 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:

2003-03-10 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-13034. 
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 31 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, Revision 2, dated May 28, 
2002.
    (b) Replacements accomplished prior to the effective date of 
this AD per BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin SB.71-
077-01693A, dated October 10, 2001; or Revision 1, dated March 28, 
2002; are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 
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) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the replacement shall 
be done per BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin SB.71-
077-01693A, Revision 2 dated May 28, 2002. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 005-10-2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 7, 2003.


[[Page 4904]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 22, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1955 Filed 1-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P