[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30115-30117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14217]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-10554; AD 98-11-29]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 Series
Airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ 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 certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 series airplanes
and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires a one-time
inspection to detect corrosion of the threads of the eyebolt and piston
rod on the retraction jack of the main landing gear (MLG); 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 prevent
corrosion of the threads of the eyebolt and piston rod on the
retraction jack of the MLG, which may cause the eyebolt to detach from
the jack, and consequent unrestrained MLG deployment or inability to
retract the MLG.
DATES: Effective July 8, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 8, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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 certain British Aerospace Model
BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on April 3, 1998 (63 FR 16447). That
action proposed to require a one-time inspection to detect corrosion of
the threads of the eyebolt and piston rod on the retraction jack of the
main landing gear, 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.
[[Page 30116]]
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 25 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 this figure, the cost impact
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,500, or $60 per
airplane.
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 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:
98-11-29 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-10554. Docket 98-NM-52-AD.
Applicability: Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro
146-RJ series airplanes, as listed in British Aerospace Service
Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6, 1997, 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 (d) 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 corrosion of the threads of the eyebolt and piston
rod on the retraction jack of the main landing gear (MLG), which may
cause the eyebolt to detach from the jack, and consequent
unrestrained MLG deployment or inability to retract the MLG,
accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a one-time visual inspection to detect corrosion of
the threads of the eyebolt and piston rod on the retraction jack of
the MLG, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6, 1997, at the time specified
in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, if any corrosion is
detected: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(1) For MLG retraction jacks that have accumulated more than 7
and less than 9 years since date of manufacture: Inspect within 2
years after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For MLG retraction jacks that have accumulated 9 or more
years since date of manufacture: Inspect within 1 year after the
effective date of this AD.
(3) For MLG retraction jacks other than those identified in
paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, and other than those MLG
retraction jacks having Part/Type No. 104628003 with serial numbers
DH/0029/93 (where ``93'' identifies the year of manufacture) and
subsequent: Inspect within 6 years since date of manufacture, or
within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
Note 2: British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision
1, dated October 6, 1997, references Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics--
Cheltenham Service Bulletin 146-32-507, dated August 1, 1997, as an
additional source of service information to accomplish the
inspection and repair.
(b) If any corrosion is detected during the inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD in areas other than those detailed in
British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated
October 6, 1997: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with
a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an eyebolt or piston rod on the retraction jack of the MLG on any
airplane unless it has been modified in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6,
1997.
(d) 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 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.
(e) 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.
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.32-145, Revision 1, dated October 6,
1997, which contains the following list of effective pages:
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Revision level
Page number shown on page shown on page Date shown on page
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1, 2.......................... 1.............. Oct. 6, 1997.
3-7............................ Original....... Sept. 18, 1997.
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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 AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at
[[Page 30117]]
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
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suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 006-09-97.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14217 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
