[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 297-299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8243]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23477; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model 
Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time 
detailed inspection for corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the 
left and right main landing gear (MLG) doors, and corrective action if 
necessary. This proposed AD results from in-service reports of hinge 
bracket failures on the MLG doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the hinge bracket on the MLG door, which could result in 
separation of the door, consequent structural damage to the airplane, 
and possible injury to people on the ground.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for service information 
identified in this proposed AD.

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: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
23477; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal

[[Page 298]]

information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
AD. Using the search function of that web site, anyone can find and 
read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the 
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, notified us that an unsafe condition 
may exist on certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and 
Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. The CAA advises of in-service reports of 
hinge bracket failures on the main landing gear (MLG) doors. The 
failures were caused by stress corrosion of the bearing housing of the 
hinge bracket, which was accelerated by the subsequent expansion of 
existing corrosion. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
separation of the door, consequent structural damage, and possible 
injury to people on the ground.

Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005. The ISB 
describes procedures for a one-time detailed inspection for corrosion 
of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG doors, and 
corrective action if necessary. The corrective action for corrosion 
involves replacement of the hinge bracket assembly with a new assembly 
and application of protective treatment; the corrective action for 
light corrosion involves removing the corrosion and applying protective 
treatment. If no corrosion is found, the service bulletin describes 
procedures for applying protective treatment. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition. The CAA mandated the service information and 
issued British airworthiness directive G-2005-0017, dated July 6, 2005, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the CAA's 
findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we 
need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 35 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 4 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed actions for U.S. operators is $9,100, or 
$260 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2005-23477; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 
3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, and Model Avro 146-
RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in BAE Systems

[[Page 299]]

(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, 
Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from in-service reports of hinge bracket 
failures on the main landing gear (MLG) doors. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the hinge bracket on the MLG door, which 
could result in separation of the door, consequent structural damage 
to the airplane, and possible injury to people on the ground.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection/Corrective Action

    (f) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or 
(f)(2) of this AD: Perform a one-time detailed inspection for 
corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG 
doors by doing all the applicable actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 
11, 2005. Perform any applicable corrective action before further 
flight in accordance with the service bulletin. If no corrosion is 
found, before further flight, apply protective treatment in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (1) For airplanes on which the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness is on or before 
February 28, 1991: Within 192 months since the date of issuance of 
the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of 
issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, or 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
later.
    (2) For airplanes on which the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness is after February 28, 
1991: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Inspections Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (g) Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.52-113, dated February 2, 2001, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in 
this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG 
doors, unless it has been inspected (and any corrective actions 
done) according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005.

No Reporting Required

    (i) Although BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005, referenced 
in this AD, specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (k) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0017, dated July 6, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E5-8243 Filed 1-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P