[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 215 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60748-60750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29179]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-177-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace BAe Model
ATP airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the
orientation of certain bolts of the rudder standby control system
(SCS), and reinstallation of the bolts, if necessary. This proposal is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent uncommanded engagement of the
rudder SCS, which could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 8, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-177-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-177-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the
[[Page 60749]]
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 99-NM-177-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes.
The CAA advises that it has received a report of uncommanded engagement
of the rudder standby control system, which occurred during full and
free checks of the rudder primary controls. Subsequent investigation
revealed incorrect installation of a bolt that secures the primary
drive rod to the fork end of the lever assembly of the rudder control
system; such incorrect installation may have occurred during
manufacture or maintenance. As a result, when the rudder approached
full left travel, the tail of the bolt contacted the synchro drive of
the standby control system (SCS), causing a mismatch in the synchro
alignment followed by engagement of the rudder SCS. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in uncommanded engagement of the rudder SCS
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin ATP-27-86, dated May
15, 1999, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the
orientation of two bolts of the rudder SCS, and removal and
reinstallation of any incorrectly installed bolt. Accomplishment of the
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued British airworthiness
directive 005-05-99 in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,800, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft
Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket
99-NM-177-AD.
Applicability: All BAe Model ATP 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
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 uncommanded engagement of the rudder standby control
system (SCS), accomplish the following:
(a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time general visual inspection of the orientation of the bolts
in the rudder SCS, in accordance with British Aerospace Service
Bulletin ATP-27-86, dated May 15, 1999. If any bolt is incorrectly
installed, as specified by Figure 1 of the service bulletin, prior
to further flight, remove and reinstall the bolt in accordance with
the service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
[[Page 60750]]
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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, 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.
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
(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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 005-05-99.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29179 Filed 11-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
