[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17342-17344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9341]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-53-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe
Model ATP airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive magnetic
particle inspections to detect cracking of the splined operating shaft
of the internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear
passenger door, and rear baggage door; and corrective actions, 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
detect and correct cracking of the splined operating shaft of the
internal door handle, which could result in failure of the internal
door handle, inability to operate the door during an emergency
evacuation, and consequent injury to airplane occupants.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 11, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
[[Page 17343]]
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-53-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-53-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-53-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 BAe Model ATP
airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received reports of failure of
the splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on Type I
exits. These failures have occurred when the door was being opened or
closed. Further investigation revealed that the splined operating
shafts failed due to cracking caused by high operating loads. Such
cracking, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the
splined operating shaft of the internal door handle, inability to
operate the door during an emergency evacuation, and consequent injury
to airplane occupants.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued British Aerospace Regional Aircraft BAe
ATP Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A52-30, dated March 19, 1997, which
describes procedures for magnetic particle inspections to detect
cracking of the splined operating shafts of the internal door handles
on the forward passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage
door; and replacement of the existing splined operating shaft with a
new shaft, if necessary. The CAA classified this alert service bulletin
as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directive 004-03-97
(undated) in order to assure the 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
actions specified in the alert service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, unlike the procedures described in the
alert service bulletin, this proposed AD would not permit further
flight if cracks are detected in the splined operating shaft of the
internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear passenger
door, or rear baggage door. The FAA has determined that, because of the
safety implications and consequences associated with such cracking, any
splined operating shaft found to be cracked must be replaced prior to
further flight.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 18 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed magnetic particle
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the magnetic particle inspection
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,800, or
$1,080 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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
[[Page 17344]]
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
98-NM-53-AD.
Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers
2002 through 2067 inclusive; 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 detect and correct cracking of the splined operating shaft of
the internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear
passenger door, and rear baggage door, which could result in failure
of the internal door handle, inability to operate the door during an
emergency evacuation, and consequent injury to airplane occupants;
accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 flight cycles on the
splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the forward
passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door; or
within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later; accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Perform a magnetic particle inspection to detect cracking of
the splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the
forward passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door,
in accordance with British Aerospace Regional Aircraft BAe ATP Alert
Service Bulletin ATP-A52-30, dated March 19, 1997.
(i) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, accomplish
the actions required by paragraph (a)(2).
(ii) If no crack is found, repeat the actions required by
paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight
cycles.
(2) Replace the existing splined operating shaft with a new
splined operating shaft, in accordance with the alert service
bulletin. Repeat the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD
within 2,000 flight cycles after the replacement, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles.
(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 request
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.
(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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 004-03-97 (undated).
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9341 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
