[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61782-61784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29055]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-70-AD; Amendment 39-11407; AD 99-23-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and
Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ
series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect signs
of chafing to the fuel feed pipe, and repair or replacement of the fuel
feed pipe with a serviceable part, if necessary; and ensuring that
responder units, electrical connector backshells, and associated wiring
are undamaged and are positioned correctly to provide maximum clearance
with the fuel pipe. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
damage to the fuel feed pipe, which could result in fuel leaks and an
increased potential for fire on the airplane.
DATES: Effective December 20, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 20, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; 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 certain British Aerospace Model
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43955). That action proposed to
require repetitive inspections to detect signs of chafing to the fuel
feed pipe, and repair or replacement of the fuel feed pipe with a
serviceable part, if necessary; and ensuring that responder units,
electrical connector backshells, and associated wiring are undamaged
and are positioned correctly to provide maximum clearance with the fuel
pipe.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Request To Change the Repetitive Inspection Interval
One commenter, the manufacturer, states that the repetitive
inspection interval required by paragraph (a) of the proposed AD is not
consistent with the interval described in the service bulletin. The
service bulletin indicates that the interval should be at each ``C''
check, which the manufacturer has confirmed to be at 4,000 flight
cycles, or within 2 years, whichever occurs first.
The FAA infers that the commenter is requesting that the inspection
interval be revised to correspond to ``C'' check intervals. The FAA
concurs. It was the FAA's intention to require repetitive inspections
at an interval corresponding to the majority of operators' scheduled
``C'' checks. The interval in the proposed AD was erroneously stated as
3,000 flight hours. Based on the information provided by the
manufacturer, the FAA has revised the repetitive inspection interval in
paragraph (a) of the final rule to specify an inspection interval of
4,000 flight cycles, or within 2 years, whichever occurs first.
Request To Change the Cost Impact
The commenter estimates that there are 45 U.S.-registered airplanes
affected by this AD. In the notice of proposed rulemaking, the FAA had
estimated that 20 airplanes were affected.
The FAA concurs and has changed the cost impact paragraph in the
final rule to indicate that 45 airplanes are affected by this AD.
[[Page 61783]]
Request To Change Service Information Address
The commenter states that the address used to obtain service
information has been changed from AI(R) American Support to British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support. The remainder of the
address is unchanged: 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
The FAA concurs and has changed the final rule to indicate the new
address.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. 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 45 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,700, or $60 per
airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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, 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:
99-23-07 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft
Limited): Amendment 39-11407. Docket 99-NM-70-AD.
Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes,
except those on which Modification HCMO1638A (British Aerospace
Service Bulletin SB.26-44-01638A, dated February 25, 1999) has been
accomplished; 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 (c) 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 damage to the fuel feed pipe, which could result in
fuel leaks and an increased potential for fire on the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a detailed visual inspection of the fuel feed pipe for signs of
chafing, and ensure that responder units are undamaged and
positioned correctly in relation to clamps and that electrical
connector backshells and associated wiring are undamaged and are
oriented to provide maximum clearance with the fuel pipe; in
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.26-44, dated
February 25, 1999.
(1) If no chafing is detected, repeat the inspection thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles or 2 years, whichever
occurs first, until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(2) If any sign of chafing is detected, prior to further flight,
accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as
applicable, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.26-44, dated February 25, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles or 2 years, whichever
occurs first, until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(i) If the damage does not exceed one-half the thickness of the
fuel feed pipe wall, prior to further flight, repair the pipe.
(ii) If the damage exceeds one-half the thickness of the fuel
feed pipe wall, prior to further flight, replace the pipe with a
serviceable part.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
(b) Modification of the clamping arrangement for the firewall
responder units in accordance with British Aerospace Service
Bulletin SB.26-44-01638A, dated February 25, 1999, constitutes
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(d) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Service
[[Page 61784]]
Bulletin SB.26-44, dated February 25, 1999. 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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 009-02-99.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 20, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29055 Filed 11-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
