[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54375-54376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27576]
[[Page 54375]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-05-AD; Amendment 39-10168; AD 97-21-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ
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 all British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes,
that requires a modification of the electrical system in the equipment
bay area by replacing certain cables, clamps, and fairleads with new
components. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the
incorrect size of electrical cables were used in the generator feeder
circuit to certain busbars from the generator contactors. As a result,
the electrical cables are not compatible with generator rating
requirements and can overheat. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent possible overheating of electrical generator feeder
cables and consequent damage, which could lead to possible fire or the
loss of essential electrical systems.
DATES: Effective November 24, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed
in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register
as of November 4, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 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: Tim H. Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2797; 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 all British Aerospace Model Avro
146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
February 28, 1997 (62 FR 9111). That action proposed to require
modifying the electrical system in the equipment bay area by replacing
certain cables, clamps, and fairleads with new components.
Consideration of Comment Received
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the one comment received.
Request to Revise the Summary Section of the Preamble of the
Proposed AD
The commenter requests that the description of what prompted the
NPRM that appeared in the Summary section of the preamble to the NPRM
be revised to read, ``* * * the generator feeder circuit to certain
busbars from the generator contactors. As a result, the cables are not
compatible * * *.'' The commenter suggests that this statement is more
accurate. The FAA acknowledges that the commenter's wording is more
accurate and has revised the final rule to reflect the suggested
changes. In addition, the FAA has included the word ``electrical'' to
identify which type of cables are not compatible.
Request to Revise Other Sections of the Preamble of the Proposed AD
The commenter also requests that the description of what the CAA
advises that appeared in the Discussion section of the preamble to the
NPRM be revised to read, ``* * * generator feeder circuit to busbars
AC1 and AC2.''
In addition, the commenter requests that a description of the
procedures referenced in the service bulletin that appeared in the
Explanation of Relevant Service Information section of the preamble to
the NPRM be revised to read ``* * * existing 6ANC generator feeder
cables installed to the AC1 and AC2 busbars from the generator
contactors * * *.''
The commenter states that these statements will improve the
technical accuracy of the proposal. The FAA recognizes that the
suggested changes to these sections provide improved technical
accuracy. However, since neither the Discussion nor the Explanation of
Relevant Service Information sections of the preamble to the NPRM are
restated in the final rule, no change to the final rule is necessary.
Explanation of Changes Made to the Proposal
For clarification purposes, the FAA has revised the description of
the unsafe condition that appeared throughout the NPRM to read, ``* * *
possible overheating of the electrical generator feeder cables and
consequent damage, which could lead to a possible fire or the loss of
essential electrical systems.''
The FAA also has revised the final rule to reflect the corporate
name change of British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro
International Aerospace Division to British Aerospace Regional
Aircraft. In addition, the address for obtaining service information
has been revised to AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171.
Furthermore, the FAA has revised the area code from (206) to (425)
of the telephone numbers in the For Further Information Contact section
of the final rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ
series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
Modification of the electrical system will take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $300 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $5,400, or $540 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612,
[[Page 54376]]
it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
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
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-21-15 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-10168. Docket 97-NM-05-AD.
Applicability: All Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent possible overheating of the electrical generator
feeder cables and consequent damage, which could lead to possible
fire or loss of essential electrical systems, accomplish the
following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 500 flight cycles after the
effective date of this AD, modify the electrical system in the
electrical equipment bay in accordance with British Aerospace
Service Bulletin SB.24-113-01532A, dated March 12, 1996, or British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.24-113-01532A, Revision 1, dated June
18, 1996.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests to through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.24-113-01532A, dated March 12, 1996;
or British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.24-113-01532A, Revision 1,
dated June 18, 1996, which contains the following list of effective
pages:
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Revision level
Page No. shown on page Date shown on page
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1, 2............................ 1................. June 18, 1996.
3-15............................ Original.......... March 12, 1996.
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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 AI(R) American Support, Inc.,
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 006-03-96, dated March 12, 1996.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 24, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 10, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27576 Filed 10-17-97; 8:45 am]
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