[Federal Register: February 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 29)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7390-7392]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14fe05-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19765; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-72-AD;
Amendment 39-13971; AD 2005-03-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 Series Airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ Series 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 series airplanes
and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive
inspections to detect discrepancies of the fuselage skin and
reinforcing plates along the wing to fuselage fairing access panels on
the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane, and repair if
necessary. This AD also provides for an optional terminating action for
the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by a report of chafing
on the wing to fuselage fairing panels. We are issuing this AD to
prevent chafing of the fuselage skin and reinforcing plates, which
could lead to reduced structural integrity of the airplane's fuselage.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 21, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March
21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen
Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. You can examine this information at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/ code--of--federal--
regulations/ibr--locations.html.
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-2004-19765; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2002-NM-72-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
series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ
[[Page 7391]]
series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on
December 7, 2004 (69 FR 70564), proposed to require repetitive
inspections to detect discrepancies of the fuselage skin and
reinforcing plates along the wing to fuselage fairing access panels on
the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane, and repair if
necessary.
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.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 65 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
inspection will take about 4 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $16,900, or $260 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
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):
2005-03-15 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13971. Docket No. FAA-
2004-19765; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-72-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective March 21, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes;
certificated in any category; on which modification HCM01037A has
been incorporated.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of chafing on the wing to
fuselage fairing panels. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing
of the fuselage skin and reinforcing plates, which could lead to
reduced structural integrity of the airplane's fuselage.
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.
Service Bulletin
(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-162, dated September 12, 2001.
Repetitive Detailed Inspections
(g) Prior to the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles, or
within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection to detect
discrepancies (i.e., chafing outside the limits specified in the
service bulletin, scoring, or cracking) of the fuselage skin and
reinforcing plates along the wing to fuselage fairing access panels
on the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane, in accordance
with the service bulletin. Repeat the detailed inspection thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles, until the
terminating action specified in paragraph (i) of this AD has been
done.
Note 1:
For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is ``an
intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly
to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an
intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirrors
magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning and
elaborate procedures may be required.''
Corrective Action
(h) If any discrepancy is found during the detailed inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, repair
according to a method approved by either the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated agent).
Optional Terminating Action and Follow-On Inspections
(i) Modify the fuselage skin at the wing-to-fuselage access
panels, do the related repetitive investigative action, and do
applicable corrective actions by accomplishing all the actions in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.53-162-01698A,
Revision 1, dated January 31, 2002. These actions terminate the
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Repeat
the related repetitive investigative action (which involves
inspecting the protective tape and sealant for damage) thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles.
No Reporting
(j) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit an inspection report, this AD does not include
that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the
authority to approve
[[Page 7392]]
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(l) British airworthiness directive 002-09-2001 also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.53-162, dated September 12, 2001, to perform
the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Modification Service Bulletin SB.53-162-01698A, Revision 1, dated
January 31, 2002, to perform the optional terminating actions
specified in this AD. 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. For copies of the service
information, contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American
Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. For
information on the availability of this material at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket at the
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 31, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2576 Filed 2-11-05; 8:45 am]
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