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

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 101 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30051-30053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4802]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24204; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-178-AD; 
Amendment 39-14612; AD 2006-11-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-
time inspection to detect corrosion of the flap structure and machined 
ribs, corrective actions if necessary, and reprotection of the rib boss 
bores. This new AD requires a records review of the results of that 
inspection, and an additional inspection and related investigative/
corrective action if necessary. This AD results from the development of 
an improved inspection for corrosion in the subject area. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion in the flap structure 
and machined ribs, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 29, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 29, 
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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 30052]]

International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 supersedes AD 2002-03-07, amendment 
39-12648 (67 FR 6852, February 14, 2002). The existing AD applies to 
certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 
2006 (71 FR 15076). That NPRM proposed to require a records review of 
the results of a certain inspection, and an additional inspection and 
related investigative/corrective action if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received 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

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD. This AD will affect about 35 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Work     Average labor                               Cost per hours
                 Action                     hours     rate per hour             Parts                airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Records review..........................          1             $65  None.......................             $65
Flaps-on inspection if required.........          4              65  None.......................             260
Flaps-off inspection if required........         40              65  None.......................           2,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 
removing amendment 39-12648 (67 FR 6852, February 14, 2002) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-11-08 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14612. Docket No. FAA-
2006-24204; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-178-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 29, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2002-03-07.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, and BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A 
airplanes; certificated in any category; except those modified by 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification HCM01694F.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the development of an improved 
inspection for corrosion in the subject area. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct corrosion in the flap structure and machined 
ribs, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 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.

Records Review

    (f) For airplanes on which the initial inspection required by AD 
2002-03-07 was done before the effective date of this AD: Within 24 
months after the effective date of this AD, review the airplane 
maintenance

[[Page 30053]]

records to identify the results of the inspection.

Inspection: Airplanes Not Previously Inspected

    (g) For airplanes that were not inspected in accordance with AD 
2002-03-07 before the effective date of this AD: Before the 
accumulation of 72 months since the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 24 months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a 
general visual ``flaps off'' inspection to detect corrosion of the 
of the flap structure and machined ribs, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, Revision 2, dated March 18, 
2004. If no corrosion is found: Before further flight, reprotect the 
rib boss bores and faces, in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, 
Revision 2, dated March 18, 2004.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Follow-On Actions: No Corrosion Found

    (h) If it is positively determined from the records review 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD that no corrosion was found 
during the initial inspection, or if no corrosion was found during 
the initial inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: No 
further work is required by this AD.

Follow-On Actions: Corrosion Found

    (i) If it is determined during the records review required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD that any corrosion was found during the 
initial inspection, or if it cannot be positively determined from 
the records review required by paragraph (f) of this AD that no 
corrosion was found during the initial inspection, or if any 
corrosion was found during the initial inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 36 months after the initial 
inspection or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, but not sooner than 24 months after the 
initial inspection, perform a general visual inspection of the flap 
structure and machined ribs to detect corrosion, as specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2), as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, Revision 2, dated March 18, 
2004.
    (1) If the corrosion extended into the boss bores, or if it 
cannot be positively determined from the records review specified in 
paragraph (f) of this AD that corrosion did not extend into the boss 
bores, do a ``flaps-off'' inspection.
    (2) If the corrosion did not extend into the boss bores, do a 
``flaps-on'' inspection.

Corrective Actions

    (j) If any corrosion is found during any inspection required by 
this AD: Repair before further flight in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, Revision 2, dated March 18, 
2004, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.

Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications

    (k) If any corrosion is detected and BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, Revision 2, dated 
March 18, 2004, specifies to contact the manufacturer for repair 
instructions: Repair before further flight, using a method approved 
by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its 
delegated agent).
    (l) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (m) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, dated 
May 15, 2001; or Revision 1, dated September 20, 2002, are 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of 
paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (n)(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 Sec.  
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

    (o) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0018, dated July 20, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (p) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.57-066, Revision 2, dated March 18, 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, 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 May 15, 2006.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4802 Filed 5-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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