[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51198-51199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24149]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-344-AD; Amendment 39-11322; AD 99-19-35]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP
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 BAe Model ATP airplanes, that
requires repetitive tests for the serviceability of the nose landing
gear compensator; and corrective action, 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 a nose wheel shimmy, which
could lead to the collapse of the nose landing gear during landing.
DATES: Effective October 27, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 27, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 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 all British Aerospace BAe Model
ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 1999
(64 FR 38152). That action proposed to require repetitive tests for the
serviceability of the nose landing gear compensator; and corrective
action, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
Correction of Manufacturer's Title
One commenter, the manufacturer, informs the FAA that its title has
changed and requests that the proposed AD be revised to provide the
correct title of the manufacturer for obtaining service information.
The FAA has made this change in the final rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required test, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $50
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,700, or $170 per airplane,
per test.
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:
99-19-35 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]:
Amendment 39-11322. Docket 98-NM-344-AD.
Applicability: All BAe Model ATP 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.
[[Page 51199]]
To prevent a nose wheel shimmy, which could lead to the collapse
of the nose landing gear during landing, accomplish the following:
Serviceability Test
(a) Within 250 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, perform a test for the serviceability of the nose landing gear
compensator in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service
Bulletin ATP-A32-94, dated October 3, 1998. Thereafter, repeat the
test at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles. If the
compensator does not pass the serviceability test, within 50 flight
cycles after the accomplishment of the test, replace the compensator
with a new or serviceable compensator in accordance with the service
bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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
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.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with British
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-94, dated October 3, 1998.
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 Regional Aircraft,
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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 016-10-98.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24149 Filed 9-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
