[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34571-34572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16450]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-51-AD; Amendment 39-10617; AD 98-13-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 repetitive detailed visual inspections to
detect cracking in the trunnion fittings located in the nose landing
gear (NLG) bay of the forward fuselage; and repair, if necessary. 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 detect and correct cracking in the
trunnion fittings of the NLG, which could lead to collapse of the NLG
during takeoff and landing, and possible injury to the flight crew and
passengers.
DATES: Effective July 30, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from British Aerospace, Service Support, 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: 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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-
11 200 and 400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register
on April 21, 1998 (63 FR 19682). That action proposed to require
repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect cracking in the
trunnion fittings located in the nose landing gear (NLG) bay of the
forward fuselage; and repair, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 42 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 inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,520, 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
[[Page 34572]]
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:
98-13-26 British Aerospace Airbus Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft
Group): Amendment 39-10617. Docket 98-NM-51-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 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 detect and correct cracking in the trunnion fittings of the
nose landing gear (NLG), which could lead to collapse of the NLG
during takeoff and landing, and possible injury to the flight crew
and passengers, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a detailed visual inspection for cracking on the
left- and right-hand trunnion fittings of the NLG, in the area of
the trunnion cap attachment holes, in accordance with British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6035, Revision 1, dated
March 7, 1996; at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2)
of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For airplanes on which British Aerospace Modification PM5308
has not been accomplished: Perform the inspection within 6 years
after the effective date of this AD, or within 11 years after the
last inspection accomplished in accordance with the alert service
bulletin, whichever occurs later. Repeat the inspection thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 11 years.
(2) For airplanes on which British Aerospace Modification PM5308
has been accomplished: Perform the inspection within 30 months after
the effective date of this AD, or within 5 years after the last
inspection accomplished in accordance with the alert service
bulletin, whichever occurs later. Repeat the inspection thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 6 years.
(b) If any crack is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair the crack
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(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.
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.
(e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6035, Revision 1, dated
March 7, 1996. 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,
Service Support, 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 004-03-96, dated April 26, 1996.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 30, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 15, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16450 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
