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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41443-41445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19253]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-371-AD; Amendment 39-12365; AD 2001-15-30]
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 inspection to detect incorrect 
wiring of the fire extinguisher bottles located on the engines and on 
the auxiliary power unit (APU), and corrective action, as necessary. It 
also requires modification of the wiring of the fire extinguisher 
bottles located on the engines and on the APU. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of incorrect wiring of the fire extinguisher 
bottles on the engines and the APU discovered during routine 
maintenance. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the fire extinguisher bottles to discharge, which could 
result in the inability to extinguish a fire in the engines or in the 
APU.

DATES: Effective September 12, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 12, 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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-116, International Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 April 25, 2001 (66 FR 20766). That action proposed to 
require inspection to detect incorrect wiring of the fire extinguisher 
bottles located on the engines and on the auxiliary power unit (APU), 
and corrective action, as necessary. It also proposed to require 
modification of the wiring of the fire extinguisher bottles located on 
the engines and on the APU.

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.

Changes to the Final Rule

    The FAA has revised paragraph (a) of the final rule to cite the 
latest service information, BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.26-60, Revision 2, dated January 18, 2001, as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the 
actions required by that paragraph. The original issue and Revision 1 
of the service bulletin were cited in the proposed AD; however, 
Revision 2 is similar to those versions of the service bulletin. In 
addition, the FAA has added a new Note 2 to this final rule to provide 
credit to those operators that accomplished one of the earlier versions 
of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,640, 
or $60 per airplane.
    The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modification of the wiring of the 
fire extinguisher bottles on the engines, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. According to the applicable service 
bulletin, the cost of required parts is to be arranged between BAE 
Systems and the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,560, or $240 
per airplane, excluding any costs to the operator for required parts.
    The FAA also estimates that it will take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the required modification of the wiring of 
the fire extinguisher bottles on the APU, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. According to the applicable service 
bulletin, the cost of required parts is to be arranged between BAE 
Systems and the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,640, or $60 
per airplane, excluding any costs to the operator for required parts.
    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. 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

[[Page 41444]]

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:

2001-15-30  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12365. Docket 2000-NM-
371-AD.

    Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, certificated 
in any category, with modifications HCM01582A, HCM01582B, HCM36192A, 
or HCM36192B embodied.

    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 (d) 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 failure of the fire extinguisher bottles on the 
engines or on the auxiliary power unit (APU) to discharge, which 
could result in the inability to extinguish a fire in the engines or 
in the APU, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a one-time inspection consisting of a ``continuity check'' to detect 
incorrect wiring on the fire extinguisher bottles located on the 
engines and on the APU, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.26-60, Revision 2, dated January 18, 2001. If incorrect 
wiring is detected, prior to further flight, correct the wiring in 
accordance with the service bulletin.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.26-60, dated September 4, 2000, or 
Revision 1, dated October 10, 2000, is acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of that paragraph.

Repeat Inspection

    (b) Following any maintenance work, including a complete engine 
change, that affects the wiring of the fire extinguisher bottles 
located on the engines or on the APU and prior to further flight 
thereafter: Perform the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD. If incorrect wiring is detected, prior to further flight, 
correct the wiring in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.26-061-36220A or SB.26-060-
01688A, both dated January 18, 2001, as applicable.

Modification

    (c) Within one year after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the wiring of the fire extinguisher bottles located on the engines, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.26-060-01688A, 
dated January 18, 2001; and modify the wiring of the fire 
extinguisher bottle located on the APU, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.26-061-36220A, dated January 18, 
2001. Accomplishment of these actions constitutes terminating action 
for the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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

    (e) 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

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.26-60, Revision 
2, dated January 18, 2001; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.26-061-36220A, dated January 18, 
2001; and BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service 
Bulletin SB.26-060-01688A, dated January 18, 2001; as applicable. 
Revision 2 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited ISB.26-60 contains 
the following list of effective pages:

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                Page No.                    Revision level shown on page             Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 13...................................  2...............................  January 18, 2001.
2-4, 6-12, 14...........................  Original........................  September 4, 2000.
5.......................................  1...............................  October 10, 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 002-09-2000.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 12, 2001.


[[Page 41445]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-19253 Filed 8-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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