Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 29, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52297-52298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21460]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-355-AD; Amendment 39-11875; AD 2000-17-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 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 all British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and certain Model 
Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires inspections and torque 
checks of the stringer crown fittings and bolts at Ribs 0 and 2 of the 
wings for discrepancies, corrective action, if necessary; and eventual 
modification of the stringer crown fittings, which terminates the 
inspections and checks. This amendment is necessary to prevent 
increased loads on the upper wing skin due to looseness of the stringer 
fittings and bolts at Ribs 0 and 2 of the wings, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the wings. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 3, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 3, 2000.

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: 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 Model BAe 
146 and certain Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on June 28, 2000 (65 FR 39831). That action proposed 
to require inspections and torque checks of the stringer crown fittings 
and bolts at Ribs 0 and 2 of the wings for discrepancies, corrective 
action, if necessary; and eventual modification of the stringer crown 
fittings, which would terminate the inspections and checks.

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 20 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,600, or $480 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 450 work hours per airplane (including 
access and close) to accomplish the required modification, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the required modification on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $540,000, or $27,000 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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.

[[Page 52298]]

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:

2000-17-02--British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace 
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial 
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-11875. Docket 99-NM-355-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAe 146 series airplanes; and Model 
Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, as listed in British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.57-56, dated September 2, 1999; certificated in any 
category; except those on which British Aerospace Modification 
HCM01307A or HCM01307B [Reference Repair Instruction (R.I.L. 
HC571H9033)] has been accomplished.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 increased loads on the upper wing skin due to 
looseness of the stringer fittings and bolts at Ribs 0 and 2 of the 
wings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
wings, accomplish the following:

Inspections and Modification

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 14,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 4,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Perform a detailed visual inspection of the 
stringers and a torque check of the Jo-bolts at Ribs 0 and 2 of the 
wings for discrepancies (including loose Jo-bolts and stringer crown 
fittings, fretting of fittings and stringers, and cracking or damage 
of attachments); in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB.57-56, dated September 2, 1999.
    (1) If no discrepancy is found, or, if 1, 2, or 3 loose Jo-bolts 
are found per rib side and no loose crown (dagger) fittings are 
found (Category 1 or 2, as specified in Table 2 of paragraph D. 
``Compliance'' of the service bulletin), accomplish the actions 
required in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Repeat the inspection thereafter at the applicable times 
specified in Table 2, until accomplishment of the actions required 
by paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (ii) Prior to accumulation of 40,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 4,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Modify all stringer crown fittings at Ribs 0 
and 2 of the wings (including inspections, repairs, and installation 
of oversize interference fit fasteners per R.I.L. HC571H9033) in 
accordance with the service bulletin, except as required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD. This modification terminates the 
requirements of this AD.
    (2) If any other discrepancy is found, as specified in Table 2 
(Categories 3 through 6): At the applicable times specified in Table 
2, repeat the inspection thereafter, and modify all crown fittings 
at Ribs 0 and 2 of the wings (including inspections, repairs, and 
installation of oversize interference fit fasteners per R.I.L. 
HC571H9033); in accordance with the service bulletin, except as 
required by paragraph (b) of this AD. This modification terminates 
the requirements of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Approved Repairs

    (b) Where British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.57-56, dated 
September 2, 1999, specifies to contact the manufacturer for a 
repair, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method 
approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority of 
the United Kingdom (or its delegated agent). For a repair method to 
be approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, as 
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.

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. 
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) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 
SB.57-56, dated September 2, 1999, including Repair Instruction 
(R.I.L.) HC571H9033, Issue 3, dated April 23, 1999. (Note: Only the 
first page of Repair Instruction (R.I.L.) HC571H9033 shows the issue 
level and date; no other page contains this information.) 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 004-09-99.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 3, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21460 Filed 8-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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