Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, - 200A, and -300A Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-42-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -

200A, and -300A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing

airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace

Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, that currently

requires replacing the quick release coupling halves on each end of the

pump case drain line on the hydraulic engine driven pump (EDP) on the

number 2 and number 3 engines with improved fire resistant coupling

halves. This action would revise the applicability of the existing AD.

This proposal is prompted by the identification of additional airplanes

that are subject to the addressed unsafe condition. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent hydraulic fluid

leakage from the pump case drain line quick release coupling, which

could fuel the flames in the event of an engine fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 13, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-42-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,

Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location

between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from British Aerospace, PLC, Librarian for Service Bulletins,

P.O. Box 17414, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-

0414. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW. , Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number

and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All

comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing

date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested

persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 94-NM-42-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter

Availability of NPRMs -

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 94-NM-42-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

On November 29, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-24-05, Amendment 39-8754

(58 FR 67310), applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-

100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, to require replacement of the

quick release coupling halves on each end of the pump case drain line

on the hydraulic engine driven pump (EDP) on the number 2 and number 3

engines with improved fire resistant coupling halves. That action was

prompted by a fire resistance test of the hydraulic EDP, associated

hoses, and couplings installed on the number 2 and number 3 engines,

which revealed that the pump case drain line quick release couplings

leaked hydraulic fluid. The requirements of that AD are intended to

prevent hydraulic fluid leakage from the pump case drain line quick

release coupling, which could fuel the flames in the event of an engine

fire.

Since issuance of that AD, British Aerospace has issued Service

Bulletin SB.29-31-01339A, Revision 1, dated July 8, 1993, which revises

the effectivity listing of the original issue of the service bulletin

by adding the serial numbers of affected Model BAe 146-100A and -200A

series airplanes. In addition, one Model BAe 146-300A series airplane,

serial number E3220, is removed from the service bulletin effectivity.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness

authority for the United Kingdom, classified this service bulletin as

mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in the United Kingdom. -

This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is

type certificated for operation in the United States under the

provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the

CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action

is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for

operation in the United States.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered

in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 93-24-05 to

continue to require replacement of the quick release coupling halves on

each end of the pump case drain line on the hydraulic EDP on the number

2 and number 3 engines with improved fire resistant coupling halves.

The proposed AD would revise the applicability of the existing AD, and

would reflect the latest revision of the service bulletin as the

appropriate source of service information.

The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the

average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be

provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these

figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $7,590, or $165 per airplane. -

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on

assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed

requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct

effects 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. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14

CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8754 (58 FR

67310), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as

follows:

British Aerospace: Docket 94-NM-42-AD. Supersedes AD 93-24-05,

Amendment 39-8754.

Applicability: Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes, serial

numbers E1002 through E1199 inclusive; Model BAe 146-200A series

airplanes, serial numbers E2008 through E2204 inclusive, E2210

through E2220 inclusive; and Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes,

serial numbers E3001 through E3219 inclusive, and E3222;

certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

Note 1: Paragraph (a) of this AD merely restates the requirement

of paragraph (a) of AD 93-24-05, Amendment 39-8754. As allowed by

the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if that requirement

of AD 93-24-05 has already been accomplished, this AD does not

require that the action be repeated.

To prevent hydraulic fluid leakage from the pump case drain line

quick release couplings, which could fuel the flames in the event of

an engine fire, accomplish the following:

(a) For airplane serial numbers E3001 through E3207 inclusive,

E3209 through E3219 inclusive, and E3222: Within 6 months after

January 20, 1994 (the effective date of AD 93-24-05, Amendment 39-

8754), replace the quick release coupling halves on each end of the

pump case drain line on the hydraulic engine driven pump (EDP) on

the number 2 and number 3 engines with improved fire resistant

coupling halves, in accordance with British Aerospace Service

Bulletin SB.29-31-01339A, dated May 24, 1993, or SB.29-31-01339A,

Revision 1, dated July 8, 1993.

(b) For airplane serial numbers E1002 through E1199 inclusive,

E2008 through E2204 inclusive, E2210 through E2220 inclusive, and

E3208: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace

the quick release coupling halves on each end of the pump case drain

line on the hydraulic EDP on the number 2 and number 3 engines with

improved fire resistant coupling halves, in accordance with British

Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.29-31-01339A, Revision 1, dated July

8, 1993.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Sec. 21.197 and Sec. 21.199 to

operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-11358 Filed 5-11-94; 8:45 am]

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