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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 41 (Friday, March 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9394-9395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4718]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-186-AD; Amendment 39-12666; AD 2002-04-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 Series Airplanes 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 certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 
and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires modifying the engine 
start circuit. This action is necessary to prevent overheating of the 
soft start resistor of the engine start circuit, which could result in 
smoke and fumes in the cabin and consequent injury to passengers and 
crew. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective April 5, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 5, 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 (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 BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on November 28, 2001 (66 FR 59390). That action 
proposed to require modifying the engine start circuit.

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 65 Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 18 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
The cost for required parts will be approximately $7,300. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $544,700, or $8,380 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:

2002-04-09  BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12666. Docket 2001-NM-
186-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146--RJ series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that have been modified in accordance 
with BAE Systems Modification HCM00810A, HCM60031A, or HCM60033L.

    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 (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

[[Page 9395]]

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 overheating of the soft start resistor of the engine 
start circuit, which could result in smoke and fumes in the cabin 
and consequent injury to passengers and crew, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the engine start circuit (including modifying the electrical busbar; 
installing new relays and relay mounting assembly, terminal junction 
module, and change-over contactor; and installing and rerouting 
certain wire assemblies) as specified by paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), 
or (a)(3), as applicable, of this AD.
    (1) For Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes on which 
BAE Systems Modification HCM00810A has been incorporated: Do the 
modification in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-18-50293A, dated January 18, 
2001; or SB.80-018-50293A, Revision 1, dated July 4, 2001.
    (2) For Model BAe 146 series 100 airplanes on which BAE Systems 
Modification HCM60031A has been incorporated: Do the modification in 
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification 
Service Bulletin SB.80-019-50293B, dated July 6, 2001.
    (3) For Model BAe 146 series 200 airplanes on which BAE Systems 
Modification HCM60033L has been incorporated: Do the modification in 
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification 
Service Bulletin SB.80-020-50293C, dated July 6, 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, 
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 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 
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

    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-18-
50293A, dated January 18, 2001; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-018-50293A, Revision 1, dated 
July 4, 2001; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service 
Bulletin SB.80-019-50293B, dated July 6, 2001; or BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-020-50293C, 
dated July 6, 2001; as applicable. 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 003-01-2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 5, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 21, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4718 Filed 2-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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