[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50023-50026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24090]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200
and 400 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
[[Page 50024]]
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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-
11 200 and 400 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacing
the thrust reverser control unit selector valve with a new or modified
valve and inspecting for proper rigging of the thrust reverser cable
drums and thrust reverser control unit selector valve detent, and
corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal also would require
revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide the flight crew with
procedures to address uncontrolled operation of the thrust reverser
system. 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 provide the
flight crew with procedures in the event of uncommanded deployment of
the thrust reverser, and to prevent uncommanded deployment of the
thrust reverser in flight or on the ground, which could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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 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 99-NM-31-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. 99-NM-31-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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400
series airplanes. The CAA advises that two uncommanded thrust reverser
deployments on the ground have been reported. The cause of the
deployments was control cable failure. The control cable in both
incidents had been incorrectly routed over a guard pin and had worn
through. Also, during investigations of the thrust reverser rigging,
instances have been found where the thrust reverser selector valve
detent was not rigged properly and was not in the forward idle
position. Misrigging of the thrust reverser control pulleys or the
thrust reverser selector valve detent could result in uncommanded
deployment of the thrust reverser in flight or on the ground, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace has issued Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6043,
Issue No. 1, dated September 18, 1998, which describes procedures for
inspecting the thrust reverser cable drums and pulleys for proper
rigging, and adjustment, if necessary.
British Aerospace also has issued Service Bulletin 78-PM6047, Issue
No. 1, dated November 27, 1998, which describes procedures for
replacing the thrust reverser control unit selector valve with a new or
modified selector valve.
British Aerospace also has issued BAC 1-11 Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) Advance Amendment Bulletins No. 12 and No. 16, both dated August
19, 1997, which describe procedures for revising the Emergency and
Abnormal Procedure Sections of the British Aerospace BAC 1-11 AFM to
provide the flight crew with procedures in the event of thrust reverser
uncommanded deployment in flight and when the thrust reverser is
indicated to be in the unlocked position during flight.
Rolls-Royce Spey Aero Engine has issued Service Bulletin Sp78-131,
dated September 1998, which describes procedures for inspecting the
thrust reverser control unit selector valve detent for proper rigging,
and adjustment, if necessary.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins
and advance amendment bulletins is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified these service bulletins
as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directives 002-09-08 and
005-11-98 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.
[[Page 50025]]
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 the service bulletins and advance amendment
bulletins described previously.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and the Foreign Airworthiness
Directive
The proposed AD would differ from the parallel British
airworthiness directives in that it would require incorporation of BAC-
1-11 AFM Advance Amendment Bulletins No. 12 and No. 16 dated August 19,
1997 into the AFM. The British airworthiness directives do not provide
for such a requirement. The FAA has determined that, because of the
safety implications, it is necessary to revise the AFM to provide
emergency procedures to address uncommanded operation of the thrust
reverser system.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 16 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed inspections, and at average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspections
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,760, or
$360 per airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed replacement, and an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $16,000 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement proposed by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $256,960, or $16,060 per
airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed AFM revision, and at average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $960, or $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 Airbus Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft Group):
Docket 99-NM-31-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 (e) 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 provide the flight crew with procedures in the event of
uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser and to prevent
uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser in flight or on the
ground, which could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection for proper rigging of the thrust reverser cable drums,
in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-
PM6043, Issue No. 1, dated September 18, 1998. If any drum is found
to be improperly rigged, prior to further flight, accomplish the
adjustments specified in paragraph 3, ``Adjustments,'' of the
service bulletin.
(b) Prior to further flight after accomplishing the inspection
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, perform an inspection for
proper rigging of the thrust reverser selector valve detent, in
accordance with Rolls-Royce Spey Service Bulletin Sp78-131, dated
September 1998. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further
flight, accomplish the adjustments specified in paragraph 3,
``Adjustments,'' of the service bulletin.
(c) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Emergency and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the FAA-approved
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting British Aerospace Advance
Amendment Bulletins No. 12 and No. 16, both dated August 19, 1997,
into the applicable sections of the AFM.
(d) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the thrust reverser control unit selector valve with a new
or modified selector valve in accordance with British Aerospace
Service Bulletin 78-PM6047, Revision 1, dated November 27, 1998.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) 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 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.
Special Flight Permits
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197
[[Page 50026]]
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 directives 002-09-98 and 005-11-98.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 9, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24090 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
