[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17991-17992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8172]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-165-AD; Amendment 39-9188; AD 95-07-06]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11-200
and -400 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 BAC 1-11-200 and -400 series
airplanes, that requires inspections of the bearings of the aileron
control system, and correction of discrepancies. This amendment is
prompted by a report indicating that an operator experienced
difficulties wherein considerable pressure was required to manually
input roll control due to seized bearings in the aileron control
system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such
seizure of bearings, which could reduce the pilot's ability to initiate
roll control during critical phases of flight.
DATES: Effective May 10, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 10, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from British Aerospace, Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol
BS99 7AR, England. 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: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.
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 BAC 1-
11-200 and -400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register
on December 15, 1994 (59 FR 64631). That action proposed to require
repetitive detailed visual and physical inspections of the bearings of
the aileron control system, and correction of discrepancies.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been added to this final rule to clarify this long-standing
requirement.
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 change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
The FAA estimates that 31 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this [[Page 17992]] AD, that it will take approximately 1
work hour per airplane, per inspection to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $1,860, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.
The total 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.
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-07-06 British Aerospace Airbus Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft
Group): Amendment 39-9188. Docket 94-NM-165-AD.
Applicability: All Model BAC 1-11-200 and -400 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
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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure the pilot's ability to initiate roll control during
critical phases of the flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 5 years from the date of installation of the aileron
control bearings or within 6 months after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual and physical
inspection to detect missing or damaged sealing rings, corrosion, or
restricted movement of the bearings of the aileron control system,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-PM6023, Issue No. 2, dated
November 23, 1992.
(1) If no discrepancies are found, repeat the inspection
requirements thereafter at intervals not to exceed 14 months.
(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
replace the bearing with a new bearing in accordance with the
service bulletin. Repeat the inspection required by this paragraph
within 5 years after replacement of the bearings, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 14 months.
(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, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-113. Operators shall submit
their requests 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 inspections and replacement shall be done in accordance
with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-PM6023, Issue No.
2, dated November 23, 1992. 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, Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR,
England. 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 29, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-8172 Filed 4-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
