Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 91 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26149-26150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10068]



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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 91 / Thursday, May 13, 2021 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 26149]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0138; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01466-T; 
Amendment 39-21560; AD 2021-10-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ 
series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that 
during a routine battery capacity check on the emergency light power 
units, the printed circuit boards (PCBs) for certain power units were 
found to show signs of burning. This AD requires replacing each 
Honeywell emergency light power unit having a certain part number with 
a serviceable emergency light power unit. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 17, 2021.

ADDRESSES: 

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0138; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3228; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2020-0237, dated October 28, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0237) (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0138.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ series 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2021 
(86 FR 14283). The NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that during 
a routine battery capacity check on the emergency light power units, 
the PCBs for certain power units were found to show signs of burning. 
The NPRM proposed to require replacing each Honeywell emergency light 
power unit having a certain part number with a serviceable emergency 
light power unit. The FAA is issuing this AD to address heat damage of 
the PCBs, which could lead to battery discharge and possibly result in 
lack of power supply to the emergency light units when needed. See the 
MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 30 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...........................          $1,800           $1,970          $59,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

[[Page 26150]]

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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2021-10-27 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-21560; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0138; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01466-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 17, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, 
certificated in any category.
    (1) Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes.
    (2) Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that during a 
routine battery capacity check on the emergency light power units, 
the printed circuit boards (PCBs) for power units LE 10 and LE 22 
(Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) 33-50-00) were found to show signs 
of burning. The FAA is issuing this AD to address heat damage of the 
PCBs, which could lead to battery discharge and possibly result in 
lack of power supply to the emergency light units when needed.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Definitions

    (1) An affected part is defined as a Honeywell emergency light 
power unit, having part number 60-3550-1, except for those modified 
and marked using the instructions specified in Honeywell Service 
Bulletin 60-3550-33-0001, Revision 1, dated September 3, 2013.
    (2) A serviceable part is defined as an emergency light power 
unit that is not an affected part.
    (3) Group 1 airplanes are those that have an affected part 
installed.
    (4) Group 2 airplanes are those that do not have an affected 
part installed.

(h) Replacement

    Within two months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
each affected part with a serviceable part.

    Note 1 to paragraph (h): BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin ISB.33-081, dated November 4, 2019, contains 
information related to the replacement specified in paragraph (h) of 
this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(i)(1) or (2) of this AD, do not install an affected part on any 
airplane.
    (1) For Group 1 airplanes: After replacement of each affected 
part on an airplane as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, 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 responsible Flight 
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2020-0237, dated October 28, 2020, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0138.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax: 206-231-3228; email [email protected].
    (3) For service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference, 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; email [email protected]; 
internet http://www.baesystems.com.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on May 7, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10068 Filed 5-12-21; 8:45 am]
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