Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68171-68172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32621]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-216-AD; Amendment 39-10934; AD 98-25-08]
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. This 
amendment requires repetitive inspections to detect wear damage on the 
nosewheel steering control cables located in the nosewheel bay of the 
nose landing gear (NLG); repetitive testing of the cable pulleys to 
detect seizing; and corrective action, 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 prevent failure of the nosewheel steering 
control cables, which could result in loss of the nosewheel steering or 
collapse of the NLG, and possible injury to the flightcrew and 
passengers.

DATES: Effective January 14, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 14, 1999.

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 October 
15, 1998 (63 FR 55350). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections to detect wear damage on the nosewheel steering control 
cables located in the nosewheel bay of the nose landing gear (NLG); 
repetitive testing of the cable pulleys to detect seizing; and 
corrective action, 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.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, or $120 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $775 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement required by this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,150, or $1,015 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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.


[[Page 68172]]




Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-25-08 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited): 
Amendment 39-10934. Docket 98-NM-216-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers 2002 
through 2063 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 (d) 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 prevent failure of the nosewheel steering control cables, 
which could result in loss of the nosewheel steering or collapse of 
the nose landing gear (NLG), and possible injury to the flightcrew 
and passengers, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a visual and tactile inspection of the nosewheel 
steering control cables located in the nosewheel bay of the NLG to 
detect excessive wear, and test the cable pulleys for seizing, in 
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated 
May 19, 1998; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (a)(1) 
or (a)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspection and test at 
intervals not to exceed 1,800 flight hours, or 2,400 landings, 
whichever occurs first.
    (1) For airplanes on which the nosewheel steering control cables 
have accumulated 6,000 or more total flight hours, or 8,000 or more 
total landings as of the effective date of this AD, and for 
airplanes on which the time-in-service of the nosewheel steering 
control cables is unknown: Inspect and test within 600 flight hours 
or 800 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) For airplanes on which the nosewheel steering control cables 
have accumulated less than 6,000 total flight hours or 8,000 total 
landings as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect and test 
within 900 flight hours or 1,200 landings after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (b) If any cable wear is outside the limits specified in British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated May 19, 1998, or if any 
discrepant pulley is detected during any inspection or test required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the 
discrepant cable or pulley with a new component in accordance with 
the service bulletin. Thereafter, continue accomplishment of the 
actions required by paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD at the 
intervals specified in those paragraphs.
    (c) Replace the nosewheel steering control cables with new 
cables at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated May 19, 1998. Thereafter, repeat the 
replacement at intervals not to exceed 6,000 total flight hours or 
8,000 total landings on the nosewheel steering cables, whichever 
occurs first.
    (1) Within 900 flight hours or 1,200 landings after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 total flight hours or 
8,000 total landings on the nosewheel steering cables, whichever 
occurs first.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the initial inspection or initial 
replacement of the nosewheel steering control cables prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace Alert 
Service Bulletin ATP-A32-90, dated March 21, 1998, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the initial inspection or initial 
replacement required by this AD.

    (d) 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 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-91, dated May 19, 1998. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-05-98.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 14, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 1998.
John W. McGraw,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32621 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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