[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66415-66417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26897]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1157; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-061-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Limited Model 
airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain 
ceramic terminal blocks, through which the wiring for the engine fire 
extinguishers, fire detection circuits, and engine and intake anti-ice 
system are routed, have been found to have moisture ingress which can 
degrade the insulation resistance of the ceramic terminal blocks. This 
proposed AD would require a one-time insulation resistance test of 
ceramic terminal blocks, and if necessary, replacement of the blocks. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent latent failure of the number 2 fire 
bottle, which, in the event of an engine fire, could result in failure 
of the fire bottle to discharge when activated and possibly preventing 
the flightcrew from extinguishing an engine fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; 
fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1157; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-061-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

[[Page 66416]]

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0040, dated March 13, 2012 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Moisture ingress has been discovered on certain ceramic terminal 
blocks, mounted on the engine cowlings, through which the wiring for 
the engine fire extinguishers, fire detection circuits and engine 
and intake anti ice system are routed. The affected terminal blocks 
were introduced through BAE Systems SB 71-077-01693A (modification 
HCM01693A) during the period 2002-2004, as this modification was 
mandated by CAA UK AD 005-10-2001 [which corresponds with FAA AD 
2003-03-10, Amendment 39-13034 (68 FR 4902, January 31, 2003)]. 
Moisture ingress has a detrimental effect on the insulation 
resistance of the ceramic terminal block with the resultant 
possibility of interconnections between all terminals. Most of the 
possible failure conditions in the terminal block should result in 
an evident warning or other indication. However, the functional loss 
of the number 2 fire bottle would be a dormant failure.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in the failure of 
a fire bottle to discharge when activated, possibly preventing the 
flight crew in extinguishing an engine fire.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the ceramic terminal blocks to determine the 
insulation resistance and, depending on findings, replacement of 
terminal blocks, and the reporting of the results to the BAE 
Systems. These will be used to establish a suitable repetitive 
inspection interval, which is expected to be introduced through the 
Maintenance Review Board (MRB) process.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service 
Bulletin 24-143, Revision 1, dated October 2, 2012. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Reporting Requirement

    Although the MCAI or service information tells you to submit 
information to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, paragraph (i) of this 
AD specifies that such submittal is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 2 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 10 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $1,700, or $850 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $949, for a cost of 
$1,034 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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 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 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2012-1157; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-061-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: Electrical 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that certain ceramic terminal 
blocks, through which the wiring for the engine fire extinguishers, 
fire detection circuits, and engine and intake anti-ice system are 
routed, have been found to have moisture ingress

[[Page 66417]]

which can degrade the insulation resistance of the ceramic terminal 
blocks. We are issuing this AD to prevent latent failure of the 
number 2 fire bottle, which, in the event of an engine fire, could 
result in failure of the fire bottle to discharge when activated and 
possibly preventing the flightcrew from extinguishing an engine 
fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 4,000 flight cycles or 18 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, do an insulation resistance 
test on each terminal block, in accordance with paragraphs 2.C., 
2.D., 2.E., and 2.F. of the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 24-143, 
Revision 1, dated October 2, 2012.

(h) Replacement

    If, during the test required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any 
terminal block is found to have a value of less than 50 megohms, 
before next flight, replace it with a new or serviceable terminal 
block, in accordance with paragraph 2.G. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin 24-143, Revision 1, dated October 2, 2012.

(i) Inspection Report Difference

    Where BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin 24-143, Revision 1, dated October 2, 2012, specifies to 
complete the test result sheets in Appendices 1, 2, 3, and 4 and the 
inspection report in Appendix 6, and send the information to BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited, this AD does not require that action.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 24-143, dated September 26, 
2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Todd 
Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0040, dated March 13, 2012; and Bae 
Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 24-143, 
Revision 1, dated October 2, 2012; for related information.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 26, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26897 Filed 11-2-12; 8:45 am]
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