Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 99 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29217-29218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11286]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-171-AD; Amendment 39-13639; AD 2004-10-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 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 
series airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed inspections for 
heat damage to any in-line splice in the auxiliary power unit (APU) and 
integrated drive generator (IDG) feeder cable circuits, and corrective 
action if necessary. This AD also provides for optional terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections. This action is necessary to 
prevent overheating of the in-line splices of the APU and IDG feeder 
cables, which can lead to smoke, fumes, and possible fire in the flight 
deck and cabin. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective June 25, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 25, 2004.

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 National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 
call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on March 17, 2004 (69 FR 12592). That action proposed to 
require repetitive detailed inspections for heat damage to any in-line 
splice in the auxiliary power unit (APU) and integrated drive generator 
(IDG) feeder cable circuits, and corrective action if necessary. The 
proposed AD also provided for optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections.

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.

Correction to Cost Information

    The cost information specified in the proposed AD inadvertently 
contained an erroneous figure. The estimated cost of the optional 
terminating action was understated as ``between $1,069 and $2,847 per 
airplane.'' The cost information, below, has been revised to show the 
correct figure.

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 17 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,630, or $390 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The optional terminating action, if done, will take approximately 
between 5 and 30 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of 
$65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately between $744 
and $1,379 per airplane.

[[Page 29218]]

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the optional 
terminating action to be between $1,069 and $3,329 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. 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-10-09 Bae Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13639. Docket 2003-NM-
171-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146 series airplanes, as identified in 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.24-
139, dated April 2, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheating of the in-line splices of the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) and integrated drive generator (IDG) feeder cables, 
which can lead to smoke, fumes, and possible fire in the flight deck 
and cabin, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection for heat damage to any in-line splice in the APU 
and IDG feeder cables, per the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.24-139, 
dated April 2, 2003. If no heat damage is found, repeat the 
inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months. 
Although the service bulletin specifies to report inspection 
findings to the airplane manufacturer, this AD does not include such 
a requirement.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If any heat damage is found during any inspection done per 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further flight, modify the 
damaged in-line splices in the APU and/or IDG feeder cable circuits, 
per paragraph 2.F., ``Terminating Action,'' of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.24-139, dated April 2, 2003, as applicable.

Optional Terminating Action

    (c) Modifying the in-line splices in the APU and/or the IDG 
feeder cable circuits, per the Terminating Action instructions of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.24-139, dated April 2, 2003, 
constitutes terminating action for this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.24-139, dated 
April 2, 2003. 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 005-04-2003.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 25, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 10, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11286 Filed 5-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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