Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31608-31609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15253]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-53-AD; Amendment 39-10581; AD 98-12-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes, that 
requires repetitive magnetic particle inspections to detect cracking of 
the splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the forward 
passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door; and 
corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to detect and correct cracking of the splined operating shaft 
of the internal door handle, which could result in failure of the 
internal door handle, inability to operate the door during an emergency 
evacuation, and consequent injury to airplane occupants.

DATES: Effective July 15, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; 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 certain British Aerospace BAe 
Model ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 
1998 (63 FR 17342). That action proposed to require repetitive magnetic 
particle inspections to detect cracking of the splined operating shaft 
of the internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear 
passenger door, and rear baggage door; and corrective actions, if 
necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 18 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required magnetic particle inspection, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the magnetic particle inspection required by this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,800, or $1,080 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does

[[Page 31609]]

not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation 
of a Federalism Assessment.
    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

    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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-12-27  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-10581. Docket 98-NM-53-AD.
    Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers 
2002 through 2067 inclusive; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct cracking of the splined operating shaft of 
the internal door handle on the forward passenger door, rear 
passenger door, and rear baggage door, which could result in failure 
of the internal door handle, inability to operate the door during an 
emergency evacuation, and consequent injury to airplane occupants; 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 flight cycles on the 
splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the forward 
passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door; or 
within 60 days after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs 
later: Accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Perform a magnetic particle inspection to detect cracking of 
the splined operating shaft of the internal door handle on the 
forward passenger door, rear passenger door, and rear baggage door, 
in accordance with British Aerospace Regional Aircraft BAe ATP Alert 
Service Bulletin ATP-A52-30, dated March 19, 1997.
    (i) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, accomplish 
the actions required by paragraph (a)(2).
    (ii) If no crack is found, repeat the actions required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight 
cycles.
    (2) Replace the existing splined operating shaft with a new 
splined operating shaft, in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin. Repeat the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
within 2,000 flight cycles after the replacement, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their request 
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft BAe ATP Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A52-
30, dated March 19, 1997. 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. Copies may be obtained from AI(R) 
American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 
20171. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-03-97.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 15, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15253 Filed 6-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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