[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16175-16177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8708]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe Avro 146-RJ
Series 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 certain British Aerospace Model
BAe Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This
[[Page 16176]]
proposal would require a one-time inspection of certain electrical
wires in the electrical equipment bay to determine if ERMA terminal
lugs are installed; and replacement with new parts, 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 failure of the
electrical circuit terminal lugs, which could result in electrical
system failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 4, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-43-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 AI(R) American Support, Inc., 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 98-NM-43-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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-43-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 certain British Aerospace Model BAe Avro 146-RJ
series airplanes. The CAA advises that a batch of ERMA terminal lugs
has been found to contain a defect that may result in the lug breaking
away from the barrel and may cause a short circuit of certain
electrical systems of electrical and hydraulic equipment bays. Because
this problem was detected during manufacturing, the remainder of this
batch of lugs has been withdrawn from production; however, some of the
lugs were fitted onto certain airplanes. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in electrical system failure, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin SB.24-120, dated
September 18, 1997, which describes procedures for performing a one-
time inspection of electrical wires, part numbers (P/N) MD0011N and
MD0012N, to determine if ERMA terminal lugs are installed; and
replacement with a new type of plug, P/N AMP323064, if any ERMA
terminal tug is found. 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 007-09-97 (undated), 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 accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 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 the single U.S. operator is estimated
to be $240.
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
[[Page 16177]]
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 British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace Division;
British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft
Limited): Docket 98-NM-43-AD.
Applicability: Model BAe Avro 146-RJ85A series airplanes, serial
numbers E2296, E2297, E2299, E2300, E2302, E2303, E2304, E2305,
E2306, and E2307; and Model Avro 146-RJ100A series airplanes, serial
numbers E3298, E3301, and E3308; 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 (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 failure of the electrical circuit terminal
lugs, which could result in electrical system failure, and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time visual inspection of the electrical wires, having part
numbers (P/N) MD0011N and MD0012N, in the electrical equipment bay
and hydraulic equipment bay, to determine if any ERMA terminal lug
having P/N ERMA 12115/2 is installed, in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.24-120, dated September 18, 1997. If
any ERMA terminal lug is found, prior to further flight, remove the
lug and replace with an AMP terminal lug having P/N AMP 323064, in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an ERMA terminal lug, P/N ERMA 12115/2, on any airplane.
(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.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 007-09-97 (undated).
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8708 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]
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