[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 59 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15659-15660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6582]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-317-AD; Amendment 39-13541; AD 2004-06-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes; and 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 Avro 146-
RJ and Model BAe 146 series airplanes, that requires a test to 
determine the torque setting for the collar cap screw of the 
differential box for the nose landing gear, and follow-on actions. This 
action is necessary to prevent uncommanded inputs to the nosewheel 
steering, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane 
during takeoff and landing. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 30, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 30, 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 Avro 146-RJ and Model BAe 146 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2004 (69 FR 289). That 
action proposed to require a test to determine the torque setting for 
the collar cap screw of the differential box for the nose landing gear, 
and follow-on actions.

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.

Explanation of Editorial Change

    Note 1 of the proposed AD referred to a ``detailed inspection and 
follow-on actions.'' This was an inadvertent error in the proposed AD. 
Note 1 of the final rule has been changed to refer to a ``torque test 
and follow-on actions.''

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed, with the editorial change 
mentioned previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 55 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,150, or $130 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.

[[Page 15660]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2004-06-15 Bae Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13541. Docket 2001-NM-
317-AD.

    Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes; and Model BAe 
146 series airplanes; equipped with a nose landing gear having a 
part number listed under paragraph 1.A.(1) of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.32-168, dated 
August 6, 2001; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded inputs to the nosewheel steering, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane during 
takeoff and landing, accomplish the following:

    Note 1: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.32-168, dated August 6, 2001, references Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletin 146-32-154, dated August 3, 2001, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the torque test 
and follow-on actions. Although the Messier-Dowty service bulletin 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include such a requirement.

Torque Test and Follow-On Actions

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a torque test of the collar cap screw of the differential box for 
the nose landing gear, and do all applicable follow-on actions 
before further flight in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.32-168, dated August 6, 2001.
    (b) If the steering mechanism will not return to the neutral 
position following the functional test in paragraph 2.C. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.32-168, dated August 6, 2001, before 
further flight: Repair per a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the CAA (or its delegated agent).

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a nose landing gear assembly unless the torque test 
and follow-on actions have been accomplished in accordance with 
paragraph 2.B. of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.32-168, dated August 6, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to 
approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.32-168, dated August 6, 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 004-08-2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 30, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 17, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-6582 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P