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

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 185 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59011-59013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0569; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-240-AD; 
Amendment 39-16811; AD 2011-20-02]
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: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    BAE Systems have received reports of in-service failure of the 
Main Landing Gear (MLG) shock absorber lower attachment pin.
* * * * *
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG collapse on the ground or during landing and consequently damage 
to the aeroplane or injury to the occupants.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 28, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 28, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2011 (76 FR 
36398). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    BAE Systems have received reports of in-service failure of the 
Main Landing Gear (MLG) shock absorber lower attachment pin.
    Investigation has shown that the pin failures were due to 
corrosion.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG collapse on the ground or during landing and consequently damage 
to the aeroplane or injury to the occupants.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
[general visual] inspections [for damage (cracking, corrosion, and 
exposed material)] of the MLG shock absorber lower attachment pins 
and replacement, depending on findings.

The replacement, if damage is found, consists of installing serviceable 
pins. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the 
AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 36398, June 22, 
2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 1 product of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 2 work-hours and require parts costing $14,000, for a cost 
of $14,170 per product.

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.

[[Page 59012]]

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ''significant rule'' under the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (76 FR 36398, June 22, 2011), 
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2011-20-02 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-16811. 
Docket No. FAA-2011-0569; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-240-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 
28, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 
146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category; 
all serial numbers.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    BAE Systems have received reports of in-service failure of the 
Main Landing Gear (MLG) shock absorber lower attachment pin.
* * * * *
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG collapse on the ground or during landing and consequently damage 
to the aeroplane or injury to the occupants.

Compliance

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

Inspections

    (g) Within 4,000 flights cycles or 2 years after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do the initial inspection 
of the MLG shock absorber lower attachment pins in accordance with 
paragraph 2.C of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.32-176, initial issue, dated November 12, 2009; and 
paragraph 3 of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-157, excluding 
Appendix A, dated February 12, 2009.
    (h) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 8,000 flights cycles 
or 4 years, whichever occurs first, repeat the inspection required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (i) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (g) and (h) 
of this AD, the chromium plating on the outer diameter of any pin is 
found cracked, or the base material is exposed, or any corrosion is 
found on the chromium plating on the outer diameter of any pin, 
before further flight, replace the pin with a serviceable pin in 
accordance with paragraph 2.C of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.32-176, initial issue, dated 
November 12, 2009; and paragraph 3 of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 
146-32-157, excluding Appendix A, dated February 12, 2009.
    (j) Replacing the pin, as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, 
does not constitute a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (k) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Todd 
Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Related Information

    (l) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2010-0201, dated October 5, 2010; BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.32-176, initial issue, dated 
November 12, 2009; and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-157, 
excluding Appendix A, dated February 12, 2009; for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection 
Service Bulletin ISB.32-176, initial issue, dated November 12, 2009; 
and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-157, excluding Appendix A, 
dated February 12, 2009; to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For BAE Systems (Operations) Limited service information 
identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, 
Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, 
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 
675207; fax +44 1292 675704; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet

[[Page 59013]]

http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm.
    (3) For Messier-Dowty service information identified in this AD, 
contact Messier Services Americas, Customer Support Center, 45360 
Severn Way, Sterling, Virginia 20166-8910; telephone 703-450-8233; 
fax 703-404-1621; Internet https://techpubs.services/messier-dowty.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on September 14, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24202 Filed 9-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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