[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44244-44245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21983]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 161 / Wednesday, August 20, 1997 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-104-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP
Airplanes and Model HS 748 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 BAe
Model ATP airplanes and all Model HS 748 series airplanes. This
proposal would require inspection of the main hydraulic accumulator for
corrosion, 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 such corrosion,
which could result in loss of certain hydraulic system functions,
including nose wheel steering, hydraulic lowering of the landing gear,
and main wheel brakes, which are essential for safe operation of the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 29, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-104-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: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2148; 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 97-NM-104-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-104-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, advises that extensive corrosion of
the cylinder tube of the main hydraulic accumulator was found on
certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes and all Model HS 748
series airplanes. Such corrosion, if not detected and corrected in a
timely manner, could result in loss of certain hydraulic system
functions, including nose wheel steering, hydraulic lowering of the
landing gear, and main wheel brakes, which are essential for safe
operation of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Service Bulletin ATP-29-15, dated
February 25, 1997; and HS748-29-49, dated February 25, 1997; which
describe procedures for inspection of the main hydraulic accumulator
for corrosion; and removal of any light surface corrosion found,
application of protective treatment and restoration of the paint
finish, or replacement of the accumulator, if necessary. The CAA
classified these service bulletin as mandatory and issued British
airworthiness directives 004-02-97, dated February 25, 1997, and 005-
02-97, dated February 7, 1997, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and
are 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
[[Page 44245]]
type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would
require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes
of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $600, or $60 per airplane.
Currently, there are no British Aerospace Model HS 748 series
airplanes on the U.S. Register. However, should an affected airplane be
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would
require approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the proposed actions,
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of the proposed AD would be $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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 Jet [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft Limited,
British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket 97-NM-104-
AD.
Applicability: Model BAe ATP airplanes having constructor's
numbers 2002 through 2063 inclusive; and all Model HS 748 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 (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 corrosion of the cylinder tube of the main
hydraulic accumulator, which could result in loss of certain
hydraulic system functions that are essential for safe operation of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection of the main hydraulic accumulator for corrosion, in
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-29-15, dated
February 25, 1997; or HS748-29-49, dated February 25, 1997; as
applicable. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,
accomplish the applicable corrective actions specified in the
service bulletins.
(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, ANM-113,
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,
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
Secs. 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 13, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-21983 Filed 8-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U