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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40869-40870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19252]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-211-AD; Amendment 39-12363; AD 2001-15-28]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAe Systems (Operations) Limited 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 certain BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model Avro 146-
RJ series airplanes, that requires modification of the passenger 
service units. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the passenger service units to deliver oxygen to the 
passengers in the event of decompression of the airplane, which could 
result in injury to the passengers. 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 Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on May 1, 2001 (66 FR 21703). That action proposed to require 
modification of the passenger service units.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments have been received.

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 40 Model BAe Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $12,000, or $300 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:

2001-15-28  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12363. Docket 2000-NM-
211-AD.

    Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as listed in BAe Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin SB.25-418-36215A, Revision 1, dated October 17, 
2000.

    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

[[Page 40870]]

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.
    To prevent failure of the passenger service units (PSUs) to 
deliver oxygen to the passengers in the event of decompression of 
the airplane, which could result in injury to the passengers, 
accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the PSUs by relocating the lanyard, in accordance with Bae Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin SB.25-418-36215A, dated April 
5, 2000; or Revision 1, dated October 17, 2001.

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 modification shall be done in accordance with BAe 
Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin SB.25-418-36215A, 
dated April 5, 2000; or BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Service 
Bulletin SB.25-418-36215A, Revision 1, dated October 17, 2000. 
Revision 1 of BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin 
SB.25-418-36215A contains the following effective pages:

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                Page No.                    Revision level shown on page               Revision date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 9....................................  1..............................  October 17, 2000.
2-8, 10, 11.............................  Original.......................  April 5, 2000.
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(The revision date is listed only on the first page of the document; 
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-04-2000.

Effective Date

    (e) 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. 01-19252 Filed 8-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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