[Federal Register: January 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 2)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 297-299]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ja06-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-23477; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model
Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time
detailed inspection for corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the
left and right main landing gear (MLG) doors, and corrective action if
necessary. This proposed AD results from in-service reports of hinge
bracket failures on the MLG doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent
failure of the hinge bracket on the MLG door, which could result in
separation of the door, consequent structural damage to the airplane,
and possible injury to people on the ground.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed 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 proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
23477; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal
[[Page 298]]
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed
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.
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 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and
Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. The CAA advises of in-service reports of
hinge bracket failures on the main landing gear (MLG) doors. The
failures were caused by stress corrosion of the bearing housing of the
hinge bracket, which was accelerated by the subsequent expansion of
existing corrosion. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
separation of the door, consequent structural damage, and possible
injury to people on the ground.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005. The ISB
describes procedures for a one-time detailed inspection for corrosion
of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG doors, and
corrective action if necessary. The corrective action for corrosion
involves replacement of the hinge bracket assembly with a new assembly
and application of protective treatment; the corrective action for
light corrosion involves removing the corrosion and applying protective
treatment. If no corrosion is found, the service bulletin describes
procedures for applying protective treatment. 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 airworthiness directive G-2005-0017, dated July 6, 2005,
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United
Kingdom.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and
are type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of Sec. 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 airplanes of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 35 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would 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 proposed actions for U.S. operators is $9,100, or
$260 per airplane.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
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 proposed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2005-23477; Directorate
Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February
3, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, and Model Avro 146-
RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any
category; as identified in BAE Systems
[[Page 299]]
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113,
Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from in-service reports of hinge bracket
failures on the main landing gear (MLG) doors. We are issuing this
AD to prevent failure of the hinge bracket on the MLG door, which
could result in separation of the door, consequent structural damage
to the airplane, and possible injury to people on the ground.
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.
Inspection/Corrective Action
(f) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or
(f)(2) of this AD: Perform a one-time detailed inspection for
corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG
doors by doing all the applicable actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February
11, 2005. Perform any applicable corrective action before further
flight in accordance with the service bulletin. If no corrosion is
found, before further flight, apply protective treatment in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(1) For airplanes on which the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the
original export certificate of airworthiness is on or before
February 28, 1991: Within 192 months since the date of issuance of
the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of
issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, or
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is
later.
(2) For airplanes on which the date of issuance of the original
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the
original export certificate of airworthiness is after February 28,
1991: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
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
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Inspections Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service
Bulletin
(g) Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this
AD according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.52-113, dated February 2, 2001, are considered
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in
this AD.
Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any airplane, a hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG
doors, unless it has been inspected (and any corrective actions
done) according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005.
No Reporting Required
(i) Although BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005, 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)(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 Sec.
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
(k) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0017, dated July 6,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E5-8243 Filed 1-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P