[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30377-30380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13782]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0555; Product Identifier 2017-NM-152-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
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 4101 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a report of an improperly installed spacer around the 
electrical pins in the cartridge connector for the fire bottle 
extinguisher cartridge. This proposed AD would require repetitive 
inspections for excessive or missing spacers, and applicable corrective

[[Page 30378]]

actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 view this service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0555; 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 NPRM, 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0555; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-152-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0212, dated October 25, 2017 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model 4101 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During scheduled maintenance (fire bottle extinguisher cartridge 
resistance check) it was noted that on the extinguisher cartridge, 
the blue spacer around the electrical pins appeared to be located 
too far forward. It was discovered that, inadvertently, an 
additional spacer (possibly from a previous extinguisher cartridge) 
was located in the extinguisher cartridge connector. This 
effectively shortens the electrical pins in the cartridge connector, 
which could result in insufficient engagement with the associated 
sockets on the aeroplane connector. A missing spacer would not 
affect the electrical connection between the extinguisher cartridge 
and the aeroplane wiring, but could allow moisture ingress over 
time.
    Both conditions, if not detected and corrected, could prevent 
the fire extinguisher bottle from discharging when required, 
possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to 
occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd issued Service Bulletin (SB) J41-26-009, providing 
inspection instructions to ensure that a single blue spacer is 
fitted on the inside of the extinguisher cartridge connector.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [general visual] inspection [and inspection after a maintenance 
task that involves disconnection or re-connection of the electrical 
connector] of the extinguisher cartridge electrical connector and 
the aeroplane's electrical connector and, depending on findings, 
removal of excessive spacers or replacement of the fire extinguisher 
bottle.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0555.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-
26-009, dated November 23, 2016. This service information describes 
procedures for a general visual inspection of the cartridge electrical 
connector and the aircraft electrical connector for missing or 
excessive spacers, and corrective actions including removing excessive 
spacers or replacing the fire bottle extinguisher cartridge. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................              $0              $85             $340
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[[Page 30379]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
actions that would be required based on the results of any required 
actions. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these on-condition actions:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Labor cost                                Parts cost                 Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.....................  Up to $1,734................  Up to $1,819.
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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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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.

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

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2018-0555; Product 
Identifier 2017-NM-152-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 13, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an improperly installed 
spacer around the electrical pins in the cartridge connector for the 
fire bottle extinguisher cartridge. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct excessive or missing spacers, which could result in the 
fire extinguisher bottle not discharging when required, possibly 
resulting in damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection of the inside of the cartridge electrical 
connector and the inside of the airplane electrical connector in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-26-009, dated November 23, 
2016.

(h) Inspections After Maintenance

    As of the effective date of this AD, before further flight after 
each accomplishment of a maintenance task involving disconnection or 
(re-)connection of an electrical connector of a fire bottle 
extinguisher cartridge, do a general visual inspection of the inside 
of the cartridge electrical connector and the inside of the airplane 
electrical connector in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin 
J41-26-009, dated November 23, 2016.

(i) Corrective Actions

    (1) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (g) or 
(h) of this AD, as applicable, more than one spacer is found inside 
the cartridge electrical connector: Before further flight, remove 
the excessive spacer(s) from the inside of the cartridge electrical 
connector in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-26-009, dated 
November 23, 2016.
    (2) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (g) or 
(h) of this AD, as applicable, one or more spacers are found inside 
the airplane electrical connector: Before further flight, remove all 
spacers from the inside of the airplane electrical connector in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-26-009, dated November 23, 
2016.
    (3) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (g) or 
(h) of this AD, as applicable, no blue spacer is found inside the 
cartridge electrical connector body: Before further flight, replace 
the cartridge in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-26-009, 
dated November 23, 2016.

[[Page 30380]]

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0212, dated October 25, 2017; for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2018-0555.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3228.
    (3) 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 view this service 
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 19, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-13782 Filed 6-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P