[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 869-871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-128]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-144-AD; Amendment 39-13421; AD 2004-01-07]
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 certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 
and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD requires one-time inspections 
of the inner webs and flanges at frames 15, 18, 41, and 43 for evidence 
of corrosion or cracking; and corrective actions if necessary. This 
action is necessary to detect and correct corrosion and cracking of the 
inner webs and flanges at frames 15, 18, 41, and 43, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 11, 2004.

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 and Avro 146-RJ series

[[Page 870]]

airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2003 
(68 FR 64288). That action proposed to require one-time inspections of 
the inner webs and flanges at frames 15, 18, 41, and 43 for evidence of 
corrosion or cracking, and corrective actions if necessary.

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

    After careful review of the available data, 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 55 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $35,750, or $650 
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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-01-07 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13421. Docket 2002-NM-
144-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which either 
BAe Modification HCM30514A or HCM30514C, and either HCM30514B or 
HCM30514D, have been accomplished.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct corrosion and cracking of the inner webs 
and flanges at frames 15, 18, 41, and 43, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection of frames 15, 18, 41, and 43 (including any 
applicable repair) by accomplishing all actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-165, dated December 11, 2001. Do 
the inspection at the applicable time specified in paragraph (b) of 
this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

Compliance Times

    (b) Do the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph D., ``Compliance,'' of 
the service bulletin, except where the service bulletin specifies 
``time period from first flight'' or ``years of age,'' this AD 
establishes the thresholds in terms of years after the date of 
issuance of the original Airworthiness Certificate or the date of 
issuance of the Export Certificate of Airworthiness, whichever is 
earlier. Where the service bulletin specifies compliance times 
relative to the date of the service bulletin, this AD requires 
compliance times relative to the effective date of this AD.

Corrective Actions

    (c) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, accomplish the 
applicable repair in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 
ISB.53-165, dated December 11, 2001. If the service bulletin 
specifies to contact the manufacturer for appropriate action, before 
further flight, repair per a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its delegated agent).

Submission of Inspection Results Not Required

    (d) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does 
not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.53-165, dated December 11, 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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-12-2001.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 11, 2004.



[[Page 871]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 29, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-128 Filed 1-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P