[Federal Register: September 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 188)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 56903-56905]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se06-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25920; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-137-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 and 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 all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro
146-RJ airplanes. This proposed AD would require calculating the
current life of each lift spoiler jack, and eventually replacing each
lift spoiler jack. This proposed AD results from a review of all system
components as part of the life-extension program for the affected
airplanes that indicated the fatigue life limit of certain lift spoiler
jacks cannot be extended from the current life limit. We are proposing
this AD to prevent failure of the lift spoiler jack, and consequent
increased drag and uncommanded roll inputs, which could reduce the
flightcrew's ability to control the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 30,
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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1175; 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-2006-
25920; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-137-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 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
airworthiness authority for the European Union, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. The EASA advises that
the life limit of the affected airplanes ranges from 40,000 flight
cycles to 50,000 flight cycles, depending
[[Page 56904]]
on the airplane variant. The manufacturer has conducted a review of all
system components as part of a program to extend the life limit beyond
40,000 to 50,000 flight cycles. This program established that the
fatigue life of the lift spoiler jacks, part numbers (P/Ns) P308-45-
0002, P308-45-0102, and P308-45-0202, cannot be extended beyond the
current life limit of 55,000 flight cycles for that part. Therefore,
the lift spoiler jacks must be replaced in order for the life limit of
the affected airplanes to be extended. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in failure of the lift spoiler jack, and
consequent increased drag and uncommanded roll inputs, which could
reduce the flightcrew's ability to control the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Modification Service
Bulletin ISB.27-178, dated January 14, 2005. Modification Service
Bulletin ISB.27-178 describes procedures for calculating the current
life of each lift spoiler jack with an affected P/N. Modification
Service Bulletin ISB.27-178 also describes procedures for replacing
each P/N P308-45-0002 and -0102 lift spoiler jack with a serviceable
unit before the part reaches its life limit. The procedures for
calculating the current life depend on whether or not complete
component utilization records exist:
If complete records exist, calculate the life limits using
those records.
If complete records do not exist, calculate the
theoretical life in conjunction with Appendix 2 of Modification Service
Bulletin ISB.27-178.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated
the service information and issued EASA airworthiness directive 2006-
0138, dated May 23, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the European Union.
Modification Service Bulletin ISB.27-178 refers to the following:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service
Bulletin SB.27-179-70675A, dated January 19, 2005, as an additional
source of service information for replacing lift spoiler jacks having
P/N P308-45-0002 and -0102.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection ISB.05-005,
Revision 1, dated June 9, 2005, as an additional source of service
information for calculating the theoretical life when complete
utilization records do not exist.
Smiths Service Newsletter P308-27-003, dated March 12,
2004, as an additional source of service information for resolving
anomalies with the P/Ns.
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 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 EASA has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. We have examined the EASA'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
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed 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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Determine the life of each lift spoiler 1 $80 None......................... $80 53 $4,240
jack.
Replace each lift spoiler jack (6 per.... 6 80 $102,000..................... 102,480 53 5,431,440
airplane)................................
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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 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:
[[Page 56905]]
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-2006-25920; Directorate
Identifier 2006-NM-137-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
30, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes specified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, having
lift spoiler jacks with part number (P/N) P308-45-0002, P308-45-
0102, or P308-45-0202.
(1) All BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A series airplanes.
(2) All Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A
airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a review of all system components as
part of the life-extension program for the affected airplanes that
indicated the fatigue life of certain lift spoiler jacks cannot be
extended from the current life limit. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the lift spoiler jack, and consequent increased
drag and uncommanded roll inputs, which could reduce the
flightcrew's ability to control 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.
Calculating the Life Limit
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD:
Calculate the current life of each lift spoiler jack in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.27-178, dated January 14,
2005.
Note 1: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service
Bulletin ISB.27-178 refers to the service information listed in
Table 1 of this AD as additional sources of service information for
the actions in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.
Table 1.--Additional Sources of Service Information
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Is an additional source of
This service document-- service information for--
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BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Replacing lift spoiler jacks
Modification Service Bulletin SB.27- having P/N P308-45-0002 and
179-70675A, dated January 19, 2005. 0102.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Calculating the theoretical
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.05- life when complete utilization
005, Revision 1, dated June 9, 2005. records do not exist.
Smiths Service Newsletter P308-27-003, Resolving anomalies with the P/
dated March 12, 2004. Ns.
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Replacement
(g) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD or
before the accumulation of 55,000 total flight cycles on the lift
spoiler jack, whichever occurs later: Replace each P/N P308-45-0002,
P308-45-0102, or P308-45-0202 lift spoiler jack with a serviceable
unit in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Modification Service Bulletin ISB.27-
178, dated January 14, 2005. Thereafter, replace each lift spoiler
jack with a serviceable unit at intervals not to exceed 55,000
flight cycles.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(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
(i) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive
2006-0138, dated May 23, 2006, also addresses the subject of this
AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 20, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15948 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am]
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