[Federal Register: March 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 47)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12125-12127]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr05-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19681; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-184-AD;
Amendment 39-13999; AD 2005-05-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 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 all
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 series airplanes. This
AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the
elevator ``G'' weight support structure, and repairs if necessary. This
AD also provides for an optional terminating action. This AD is
prompted by reported cracking of the elevator ``G'' weight support
structure. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the elevator
``G'' weight support structure with possible consequent jamming of the
right-hand elevator servo tab and reduced controllability of the
airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 15, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is
[[Page 12126]]
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 15, 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-2004-19681; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2003-NM-184-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 all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146
series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on
November 24, 2004 (69 FR 68265), proposed to require repetitive
detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator ``G'' weight support
structure, and repairs if necessary. That action also proposed to
provide an optional terminating action.
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 19 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
required actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $1,235, or $65 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):
2005-05-10 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13999. Docket No. FAA-
2004-19681; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-184-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective April 15, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Model BAe 146 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reported cracking of the elevator
``G'' weight support structure. We are issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the elevator ``G'' weight support structure with possible
consequent jamming of the right-hand elevator servo tab and reduced
controllability of the airplane.
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.
Verification of Applicability
(f) Before the accumulation of 14,000 total landings, or within
4,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever is
later: Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the elevator
``G'' weight support structure to determine whether BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Modification HCM00654A as described in BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-
037-00654A, Revision 2, dated May 8, 2003, has been incorporated on
the airplane. If it can be conclusively determined that HCM00654A
has been incorporated, no further action is required by this AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is ``a visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection
area. This level of inspection is made under normally available
lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight,
or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
Inspection
(g) For airplanes on which BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Modification HCM00654A has not been done and
[[Page 12127]]
airplanes on which it cannot be conclusively determined that this
modification has been done: Before the accumulation of 14,000 total
landings, or within 4,000 landings after the effective date of this
AD, whichever is later, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this
AD, perform a detailed inspection for cracking of the elevator ``G''
weight support structure, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.27-037, Revision 3, dated April 17, 2003.
(1) If no crack is found and the structure has not been repaired
previously, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 4,000
landings.
(2) If no crack is found but the structure has been repaired
previously, repeat the inspection at applicable intervals specified
in Appendix 1 of the service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
``an intensive visual examination of a specific structural area,
system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a
direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by
the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses,
etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures
may be required.''
Post-Incident Inspection
(h) If, before or after any inspection required by this AD, the
airplane experiences any incident of nose wheel shimmy; overweight,
hard, or high drag/side load landing; flight in severe turbulence;
or pitch oscillation: Before further flight, repeat the inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD. If no crack is found, repeat
the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as
applicable.
Corrective Actions
(i) If any crack is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD, before further flight, replace the
elevator ``G'' weight support structure in accordance with paragraph
(j) of this AD, or repair the structure in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, or the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) (or its delegated representative).
Optional Terminating Action
(j) Replacement of the existing elevator ``G'' weight support
structure with a new, improved elevator ``G'' weight support
structure in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Modification Service Bulletin SB.27-037-00654A, Revision 2, dated
May 8, 2003, terminates the repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (g) of this AD.
No Reporting Requirement
(k) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(l) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, is authorized to approve alternative methods of
compliance for this AD.
Related Information
(m) British airworthiness directive 006-04-2003 also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(n) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.27-037, Revision 3, dated April 17, 2003; to
perform the inspections and corrective actions that are required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If the replacement of
the elevator ``G'' weight support structure is accomplished, you
must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service
Bulletin SB.27-037-00654A, Revision 2, dated May 8, 2003; to
accomplish this replacement. The Director of the Federal Register
approves the incorporation by reference of these documents 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 February 28, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4412 Filed 3-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P