[Federal Register: April 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 75)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20817-20818]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ap04-5]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-272-AD; Amendment 39-13575; AD 2004-08-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146-100A and -200A Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A
and -200A series airplanes, that requires an inspection to determine
the part number of the inner links of the side stays for the main
landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the inner links with new parts,
if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent the failure of the
MLG, which could result in damage to the airplane structure or injury
to airplane occupants. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective May 24, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 24, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1175; 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 all BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited Model BAe 146-100A and -200A series airplanes was published in
the Federal Register on December 5, 2003 (68 FR 67986). That action
proposed to require an inspection to determine the part number of the
inner links of the side stays for the main landing gear (MLG), and
replacement of the inner links with new parts, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comment received.
Request to Revise Description of Part Having Specified Part Numbers
One commenter requests that paragraphs (b) and (c) of the proposed
AD be revised to clarify the description of the part having the
specified part numbers. The commenter notes that paragraphs (b) and (c)
of the proposedAD require actions for side stays having part number
200884319, 200884320,200884331, 200884332, 200884342, or 200884343. The
commenter contends that this leads readers to believe the part numbers
are for the side stay, but the part numbers are actually for the inner
link subassembly of the side stay. The commenter recommends that
paragraphs (b) and (c) be revised to clarify that the actions are for
any side stay having an inner link with part number 200884319,
200884320, 200884331, 200884332, 200884342, or 200884343.
The FAA agrees that paragraphs (b) and (c) of the final rule should
be revised to clarify the description of the part having the specified
part numbers. As stated by the commenter, the part numbers specified in
paragraphs (b) and (c) of the final rule are found on the inner link.
We have revised paragraphs (b) and (c) of the final rule to clarify
that the required actions apply to any side stay having an inner link
with part number 200884319, 200884320, 200884331, 200884332, 200884342,
or 200884343.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 15 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $975, or $65 per
airplane.
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. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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.
[[Page 20818]]
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-08-06 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13575. Docket 2001-NM-
272-AD.
Applicability: All Model BAe 146-100A and -200A series
airplanes; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the failure of the main landing gear (MLG), which
could result in damage to the airplane structure or injury to
airplane occupants, accomplish the following:
Inspection to Determine Part Number
(a) Within 50 landings or 31 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first: Inspect the inner link of the side
stays of the MLG to determine the part number, per the
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.32-166, dated May 28, 2001. Although
this service bulletin specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.
Note 1: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin, ISB.32-166, dated May 28, 2001, references Messier-Dowty
Service Bulletin 146-32-153, dated May 29, 2001, as an additional
source of service information for accomplishment of the inspection
and replacement required by this AD. Although the Messier-Dowty
service bulletin specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.
Replacement at New Reduced Safe Life
(b) For any side stay which, during the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, is found to have an inner link with part
number 200884319, 200884320, 200884331, 200884332, 200884342, or
200884343: Replace the inner link with a new inner link having the
same part number, at the applicable compliance time specified in
paragraph 1.D. ``Compliance'' of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.32-166, dated May 28, 2001, as
measured from the effective date of this AD.
Safe Remaining Life
(c) If any side stay having an inner link with part number
200884319, 200884320, 200884331, 200884332, 200884342, or 200884343
has been used at different operating weights, and the service
bulletin recommends contacting Messier-Dowty for appropriate action
based on the safe remaining life of the side stay: Contact the
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,Transport Airplane
Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the
airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, (or its delegated
agent); for appropriate action.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.32-166, dated May 28, 2001. 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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon,Virginia 20171. Copies may be inspected
at the FAA, Transport AirplaneDirectorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 005-05-2001.
Effective Date
(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 24, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 6, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8541 Filed 4-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P