[Federal Register: October 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 196)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59231-59233]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12oc05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-213-AD;
Amendment 39-14331; AD 2005-20-34]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model HS 748
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain British Aerospace Model HS 748 airplanes. This AD requires
relocating the battery earth posts located on the nose landing gear
(NLG) pintle webs. This AD results from an accident in which the nose
landing leg, together with the pintle webs, detached from the airplane.
As a result, the battery earth return cables were severed from their
earth posts. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of safety critical
services including fuel shut-off and nacelle fire extinguishing
services.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 27, 2005.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 27,
2005.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 12, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for service information
identified in this 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:
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, notified us that an unsafe condition
may exist on certain British Aerospace Model HS 748 airplanes. The CAA
advises that, in an accident involving a Model HS 748 airplane, the
nose landing leg, together with the pintle webs, detached from the
airplane. As a result, the battery earth return cables were severed
from their earth posts. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in the loss of safety critical services including fuel shut-off and
nacelle fire extinguishing services.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin HS748-
24-131, Revision 1, dated June 16, 2003. The service bulletin describes
procedures for relocating the battery earth posts. The tasks comprise:
Assembling a new earth post mounting plate;
Fitting the mounting plate on the side beams of the nose
landing gear (NLG) below the cockpit floor;
Testing the bonding on the new earth post plate
installation;
Rerouting the battery earth return cables;
Connecting the cables to the earth posts at their new
location; and
Connecting the aircraft batteries.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAA mandated
the service information and issued British
[[Page 59232]]
airworthiness directive 006-01-2003 to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the CAA's
findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we
need to issue an AD for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent loss of safety
critical services including fuel shut-off and nacelle fire
extinguishing services. This AD requires accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
The following table provides the estimated costs to comply with
this AD for any affected airplane that might be imported and placed on
the U.S. Register in the future.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
Action Work hours labor rate Parts cost Cost per
per hour airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earth post relocation................................... 16 $65 $500 $1,540
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FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register.
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-
22625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-213-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
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 the regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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:
[[Page 59233]]
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-20-34 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14331. Docket No. FAA-
2005-22625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-213-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective October 27, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model HS
748 series 2A and series 2B airplanes, certificated in any category,
with batteries installed in the nosecone.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from an accident in which the nose landing
leg, together with the pintle webs, detached from the airplane. As a
result, the battery earth return cables were severed from their
earth posts. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of safety
critical services including fuel shut-off and nacelle fire
extinguishing services.
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.
Battery Earth Post Relocation
(f) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD,
relocate the battery earth posts, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Service Bulletin HS748-24-131, Revision 1, dated June 16, 2003.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(h) British airworthiness directive 006-01-003 also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service
Bulletin HS748-24-131, Revision 1, dated June 16, 2003, to perform
the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin HS748-
24-131, Revision 1, dated June 16, 2003, contains the following
effective pages:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page number Revision level shown on page Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-12, 14................................. 1............................... June 16, 2003.
13....................................... Original........................ January 20, 2003.
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The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation
by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American
Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for a copy of
this service information. You may review copies at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at 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 September 28, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20068 Filed 10-11-05; 8:45 am]
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