[Federal Register: June 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 108)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32982-32984]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07jn05-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20724; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-233-AD;
Amendment 39-14115; AD 2005-11-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 airplanes. This
AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks of the fuselage pressure
skin above the left and right main landing gear (MLG) bay. This AD also
requires corrective action, including related investigative actions, if
leaks are found. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the
fuselage pressure skin above the left and right MLG bay. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the fuselage pressure
skin above the left and right MLG bay; such fatigue cracking could
adversely affect the structural integrity of the fuselage and its
ability to maintain pressure differential.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 12, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July
12, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen
Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20724; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-233-AD.
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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146
airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on March 30,
2005 (70 FR 16173), proposed to require repetitive inspections for
cracks of the fuselage pressure skin above the left and right main
landing gear (MLG) bay. The action also proposed AD to require
[[Page 32983]]
corrective action, including related investigative actions, if leaks
are found.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate
data sheet for the affected model.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the
change described previously. We have determined that this change will
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
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Inspection, per inspection cycle.... 7 $65 $0 $455 18 $8,190, per inspection cycle.
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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.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 (AD):
2005-11-13 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14115. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20724; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-233-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 12, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, certificated in any
category; except those on which BAe Modification HCM00972A or
HCM00972C has been accomplished.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the fuselage
pressure skin above the left and right main landing gear (MLG) bay.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the
fuselage pressure skin above the left and right MLG bay; such
fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of
the fuselage and its ability to maintain pressure differential.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Initial and Repetitive Inspections
(f) At the times specified in Table 1 of this AD, inspect the
fuselage pressure skin above the left and right MLG bay for cracks
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 53-170, dated
August 8, 2003.
[[Page 32984]]
Table 1.--Compliance Times
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And do repetitive
For airplanes listed in Do initial inspections
paragraph (c) of this AD-- inspections-- thereafter--
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On which neither BAe Prior to the At intervals not to
modification HCM00744M nor accumulation of exceed 1,000 flight
HCM00850A has been 15,000 total flight cycles.
accomplished. cycles or within
500 flight cycles
after the effective
date of this AD,
whichever occurs
later.
On which either BAe Prior to the At intervals not to
modification HCM00744M or accumulation of exceed 3,000 flight
HCM00850A has been 15,000 total flight cycles.
accomplished. cycles or within
On which both BAe 1,000 flight cycles
modifications HCM00744M and after the effective
HCM00850A have been date of this AD,
accomplished. whichever occurs
later.
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Corrective Action
(g) If any crack is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, do the corrective action and any related
investigative actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin 53-170, dated August 8, 2003, except as required by
paragraph (h) of this AD.
(h) If any cracking is found during any inspection or related
investigative action required by this AD, and the service bulletin
recommends contacting BAE Systems for appropriate action: Before
further flight, repair the cracks according to a method approved by
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its delegated
agent).
No Reporting
(i) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(k) British airworthiness directive G-2004-0004, dated February
26, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin 53-170, dated August 8, 2003, to perform the
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service
information, contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American
Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. To view the
AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the
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 May 26, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11056 Filed 6-6-05; 8:45 am]
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