Airworthiness Directives; Bae Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40864-40866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19249]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-06-AD; Amendment 39-12358; AD 2001-15-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bae Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 and 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 certain BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 
and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires identifying the 
discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, and replacing them 
with new parts if necessary. The actions specified by this

[[Page 40865]]

AD are intended to prevent the installation of incorrect pressurization 
discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which could subject 
the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the airframe fatigue 
life. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective September 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 10, 2001.

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 certain BAe Systems (Operations) 
Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on June 5, 2001 (66 FR 30103). That action 
proposed to require identifying the discharge valves and cabin pressure 
controllers, and replacing them with new parts if necessary.

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.

Change to Paragraph (b) of Proposed AD

    The FAA notes a typographical error in paragraph (b) of the 
proposed AD. The final rule has been revised to correctly identify the 
foreign civil airworthiness authority in that paragraph as ``the Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA).''

Conclusion

    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 20 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,600, or $180 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]


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

2001-15-23  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12358. Docket 2001-NM-06-
AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as listed in BAe Systems (Operations) 
Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated 
February 6, 2001.

    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 the installation of incorrect pressurization 
discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which could subject 
the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the airframe 
fatigue life, accomplish the following:

Parts Identification

    (a) As specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as applicable, 
of this AD: Identify the part numbers of the pressurization 
discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers to determine if any 
installed part is incorrect, as defined by and in accordance with 
BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-
148, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001.
    (1) For airplanes post-Modification HCM50258A: Identify the part 
numbers

[[Page 40866]]

within 30 days after the effective date of this AD; and, if any part 
is incorrect, limit the airplane ceiling to 31,000 feet until the 
incorrect part is replaced, as specified by paragraph (b) of this 
AD.
    (2) For airplanes pre-Modification HCM50258A: Identify the part 
numbers within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (b) For any incorrect part identified in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 500 flight cycles thereafter, 
replace it with a new, correct part, in accordance with BAe Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, 
Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001. Prior to further flight 
thereafter, perform a structural inspection and accomplish 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with a method approved 
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its 
delegated agent).

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions specified in this AD in 
accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.21-148, dated November 17, 2000, is also acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of 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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD: The actions 
shall be done in accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated February 
6, 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 003-11-2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-19249 Filed 8-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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