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

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8448-8450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1410]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-14488; AD 2006-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and 
Avro 146-RJ airplanes, that requires installation of a linear fluid-
filled damper between each elevator surface and the airplane structure 
on both the left and right sides of the airplane, along with related 
structural and system modifications. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent pitch oscillation (vertical bouncing) of the 
fuselage due to excessive ice buildup on the elevator servo tab, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 24, 2006.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 24, 2006.

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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer; 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
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 all BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes was published as a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal 
Register on December 8, 2005 (70 FR 72942). That action proposed to 
require installation of a linear fluid-filled damper between each 
elevator surface and the airplane structure on both the left and right 
sides of the airplane, along with related structural and system 
modifications. That action also revised and updated applicable service 
information and revised the compliance time to accurately reflect the 
compliance time specified by the service information.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. We received no comments on the 
supplemental NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed, 
except for certain minor editorial changes that have no effect on any 
legal or technical aspect of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 55 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. Accomplishment of the required actions specified 
in the referenced BAE Systems (Operations) Limited modification service 
bulletins will require an approximate number of work hours as shown in 
the following table, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.

[[Page 8449]]



                                              Work Hours and Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
 BAE Systems (operations) limited modification service bulletin     Parts costs     Work hours       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB.27-167-01614C.D.G............................................          $2,937              12          $3,717
SB.27-168-01614EH...............................................             713              40           3,313
SB.27-169-01692A................................................          10,415               8          10,935
SB.27-170-01692E \1\............................................             826              20           2,126
SB.27-171-01692F \2\............................................             826              12           1,606
SB.27-174-01692G................................................            N.A.               1             65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ (For Model BAE 146 airplanes only).
\2\ (For Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes only).

    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be between $1,079,980 and $1,108,580, or 
between $19,636 and $20,156 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.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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:

2006-04-07 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14488. Docket 2002-NM-
172-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series 
airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A 
airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent pitch oscillation (vertical bouncing) of the fuselage 
due to excessive ice buildup on the elevator servo tab, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Linear Fluid-Filled Damper Installation

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install linear fluid-filled dampers between each elevator surface 
and the airplane structure on both the left and right sides of the 
airplane and perform the related structural and system 
modifications, by doing all actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins specified in 
Table 1 of this AD; as applicable.

                                          Table 1.--Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   BAE Systems (operations) limited
     modification service bulletin                 Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB.27-167-01614C.D.G..................  2..................................  July 25, 2003.
SB.27-168-01614EH.....................  2..................................  July 25, 2003.
SB.27-169-01692A......................  1..................................  July 11, 2002.
SB.27-170-01692E, including Appendix    3..................................  May 16, 2003.
 1, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2001
 \1\.
SB.27-171-01692F, including Appendix    1..................................  July 10, 2002.
 1, dated March 20, 2001 \2\.
SB.27-174-01692G......................  Original...........................  December 10, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ (For Model BAE 146 airplanes only).
\2\ (For Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes only).


[[Page 8450]]

Credit for Prior Revisions of Service Information

    (b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with applicable service information listed in Table 2 of 
this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

                                Table 2.--Prior Revisions of Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   BAE Systems (operations) limited
     modification service bulletin                 Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB.27-167-01614C.D.G..................  Original...........................  January 2, 2001.
SB.27-167-01614C.D.G..................  1..................................  July 11, 2002.
SB.27-168-01614EH.....................  Original...........................  January 22, 2001.
SB.27-168-01614EH.....................  1..................................  July 11, 2002.
SB.27-169-01692A......................  Original...........................  December 10, 2001.
27-170-01692E, including Appendix 1     Original...........................  March 20, 2001.
 \1\.
SB.27-170-01692E, including Appendix 1  1..................................  August 27, 2001.
 \1\.
SB.27-170-01692E, including Appendix    2..................................  July 10, 2002.
 1, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2001
 \1\.
SB.27-171-01692F, including Appendix 1  Original...........................  March 20, 2001.
 \2\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ (For Model BAE 146 airplanes only).
\2\ (For Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes only).

No Reporting Requirement

    (c) Although all referenced service bulletins describe 
procedures for reporting accomplishment to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not require that action.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this 
AD.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 005-12-2001.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be 
done in accordance with the service information specified in Table 3 
of this AD, 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. To get copies of this service 
information, contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American 
Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. To inspect 
copies of this service information, go to the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

                             Table 3.--Service Information Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   BAE Systems (operations) limited
     modification service bulletin                 Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB.27-167-01614C.D.G..................  2..................................  July 25, 2003.
SB.27-168-01614EH.....................  2..................................  July 25, 2003.
SB.27-169-01692A......................  1..................................  July 11, 2002.
SB.27-170-01692E, including Appendix    3..................................  May 16, 2003.
 1, Revision 1, dated August 27, 2001.
SB.27-171-01692F, including Appendix    1..................................  July 10, 2002.
 1, dated March 20, 2001.
SB.27-174-01692G......................  Original...........................  December 10, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 24, 2006.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1410 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
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