[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52211-52212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21247]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0627; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), which would have applied 
to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 series airplanes 
and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The NPRM would have superseded 
AD 2011-24-06 and required revising the maintenance program to 
incorporate new airworthiness limitations for reduced safe life limits 
on certain nose landing gear fittings. Since the NPRM was issued, we 
have received new data indicating that the airworthiness limitations 
contained in section 5 of the aircraft maintenance manual has been 
revised to include additional tasks and limitations. Accordingly, the 
NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: As of August 28, 2015, the proposed rule, which was published in 
the Federal Register on July 24, 2013 (78 FR 44469), is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0627; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD action, the NPRM (78 FR 44469, July 24, 2013), the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR part 39) with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a new 
AD for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 series 
airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on July 24, 2013 (78 FR 44469). The NPRM would 
have superseded AD 2011-24-06, Amendment 39-16870 (76 FR 73477, 
November 29, 2011). The NPRM would have continued to require existing 
limitations and would have required revising the maintenance program to 
incorporate the following limitations:
     Subject 05-10-15, ``Aircraft Equipment Airworthiness 
Limitations,'' of Chapter 05, ``Time Limits/Maintenance Checks,'' of 
BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 
105, dated July 15, 2011.
     Subject 05-20-02, ``Airframe Scheduled Maintenance--
Landing/Calendar Life Extended,'' of Chapter 05, ``Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks,'' of BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Revision 105, dated July 15, 2011.
     Subject 05-20-05, ``Airframe Scheduled Maintenance--Life 
Extension Programme Landings Life Extended,'' of Chapter 05, ``Time 
Limits/Maintenance Checks,'' of BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 105, dated July 15, 2011.
    The NPRM was prompted by a determination that reduced safe life 
limits on certain nose landing gear NLG fittings were necessary. 
Analysis of these fittings showed the presence of forging indications 
in the flash line, which could reduce the life limits of these 
fittings. The proposed actions were intended to prevent fatigue 
cracking of certain structural elements, which could adversely affect 
the structural integrity of the airplane.

Actions Since NPRM (78 FR 44469, July 24, 2013) Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM (78 FR 44469, July 24, 2014), BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited has revised Chapter 05, ``Time Limits/Maintenance 
Checks,'' of the BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual (AMM). Therefore, the NPRM proposal to incorporate new 
airworthiness limitations with reduced safe life limits on certain nose 
landing gear fittings contained in a previous issue of the AMM are no 
longer relevant.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that the changes to 
the AMM proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 44469, July 24, 2013) are no longer 
relevant and there is no benefit to proceeding with the publication of 
a final rule. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn. The FAA is 
considering issuing a different rulemaking action to require 
implementation of the current revision of BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Chapter 05, ``Time Limits/Maintenance Checks,'' of the BAe 146 
Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series AMM.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM (78 FR 44469, July 24, 2013) does not 
preclude the FAA from issuing another related action or commit the FAA 
to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM (78 FR 44469, July 24, 
2013), it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not 
covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or 
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 
1979).

[[Page 52212]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2013-0627, 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-021-AD, which was published in the 
Federal Register on July 24, 2013 (78 FR 44469).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2015.
Kevin Hull,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21247 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P