02-1818. Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-200A Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes, that requires replacement of the signal summing units (SSUs) for the stall identification system with new, improved parts. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent stall identification and stall warning signals from occurring at the same time, leading the flight crew to take action based on erroneous information, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective March 6, 2002.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 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:

Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 29, 2001 (66 FR 54466). That action proposed to require replacement of the signal summing units (SSUs) for the stall identification system with new, improved parts.

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 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost between $23,747 and $29,688 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $285,684 and $356,976, or between $23,807 and $29,748 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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2002-01-20 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12614. Docket 2001-NM-150-AD.

Applicability: Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes, as listed in BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2001; 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 prevent stall identification and stall warning signals from occurring at the same time, leading the flight crew to take action based on erroneous information, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace signal summing units (SSUs), part number C81606-3, for the stall identification system with new SSUs having part number C81606-5, according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2001.

Note 2:

Replacement of SSUs having part number C81606-3 with new SSUs having part number C81606-5 accomplished according to British Aerospace Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 1, dated November 12, 1990; or Revision 2, dated February 4, 2000; is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install an SSU, part number C81606-3, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Special Flight Permits

(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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-109-00503C, Revision 3, dated March 19, 2001. 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 American Support, 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 4:

The subject of this AD is addressed in British airworthiness directive 009-06-90.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 6, 2002.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2002.

Michael Kaszycki,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.