Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A and -200A Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1939-1941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-184]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22791; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-083-AD; 
Amendment 39-14448; AD 2006-01-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146-100A and -200A Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A and -200A series 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) 
assembly to determine the part number of the NLG main fitting 
subassembly. For subject NLG main fitting subassemblies, this AD also 
requires determining the total number of accumulated landings on a 
subject NLG main fitting subassembly, and eventually replacing the NLG 
assembly. This AD results from a report indicating that the airplane 
maintenance manual contains incorrect safe-life limit information for 
certain NLG assemblies. We are issuing this AD to ensure that affected 
NLG fitting subassemblies are removed from service before they reach 
their approved safe-life limit. Operating with an NLG fitting 
subassembly that is beyond its approved safe-life limit could result in 
failure of the NLG and consequent loss of directional control on the 
ground and major structural damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 16, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of February 16, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for service information 
identified in this AD.

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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A and -200A series airplanes. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2005 (70 
FR 61916). That NPRM proposed to require inspecting the nose landing 
gear (NLG) assembly to determine the part number of the NLG main 
fitting subassembly. For subject NLG main fitting subassemblies, that 
NPRM also proposed to require determining the total number of 
accumulated landings on a subject NLG main fitting subassembly, and 
eventually replacing the NLG assembly.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the 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.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 18 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required inspection will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $1,170, or $65 per 
airplane.

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

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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 Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-01-09 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14448. Docket No. FAA-
2005-22791; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-083-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 16, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model BAe 146-100A and -200A series airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that the airplane 
maintenance manual contains incorrect safe-life limit information 
for certain nose landing gear (NLG) assemblies. We are issuing this 
AD to ensure that affected NLG fitting subassemblies are removed 
from service before they reach their approved safe-life limit. 
Operating with an NLG fitting subassembly that is beyond its 
approved safe-life limit could result in failure of the NLG and 
consequent loss of directional control on the ground and major 
structural damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin Reference

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model BAe 146 Modification Service Bulletin ISB.32-169, dated 
October 4, 2004.
    (1) The service bulletin refers to Messier-Dowty Service 
Bulletin 146-32-155, dated July 16, 2004, as an additional source of 
service information for inspecting to determine the part number of 
the NLG main fitting subassembly, determining the number of 
accumulated landings on the NLG main fitting subassembly, and 
replacing the NLG assembly.
    (2) Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer and to return replaced NLG 
assemblies to the manufacturer or other overhaul facility, this AD 
does not require those actions.

Inspection To Determine Part Number

    (g) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Inspect 
the NLG assembly to determine the part number of the NLG main 
fitting subassembly, in accordance with the service bulletin. If the 
part number of the NLG main fitting subassembly is not listed in 
paragraph 1.A.(2) of the service bulletin, then this paragraph 
requires no further action. A review of airplane maintenance records 
is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the 
NLG main fitting subassembly can be conclusively determined from 
that review.

Replacement of NLG

    (h) If the part number of the NLG main fitting subassembly is 
listed in paragraph 1.A.(2) of the service bulletin: Determine the 
total accumulated landings on the subassembly (since the subassembly 
was new or overhauled), and replace the NLG with a new, serviceable, 
or overhauled subassembly, in accordance with the service bulletin. 
(For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable NLG is one on which the 
NLG main fitting subassembly has been identified, the number of 
landings has been determined, and the number of landings does not 
exceed the limits specified in paragraphs (h), (h)(1) or (h)(2) of 
this AD, as applicable.) Do the actions specified in this paragraph 
at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of 
this AD, or within 500 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever is later. A review of airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the total accumulated 
landings on the subassembly (since the subassembly was new or 
overhauled) can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) If the NLG has not been overhauled previously: Prior to the 
accumulation of 35,000 total landings on the NLG.
    (2) If the NLG has been overhauled previously: Within 8,000 
landings since the most recent overhaul.

Parts Installation

    (i) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an NLG that is equipped with a main fitting subassembly having a 
part number identified in paragraph 1.A.(2) of the service bulletin, 
unless all of the applicable actions in paragraphs (g) and (h) of 
this AD have been done.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (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.

Related Information

    (k) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0001, dated January 
12, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 
Modification Service Bulletin ISB.32-169, dated October 4, 2004, to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 
20171, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies 
at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation,

[[Page 1941]]

400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, 
DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 30, 2005.
Linda Navarro,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-184 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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