Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, - 200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A Series Airplanes Equipped With Certain Air Cruisers Evacuation Slides

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-163-AD]

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

200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A Series

Airplanes Equipped With Certain Air Cruisers Evacuation Slides

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model

BAe 146-100A, -200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -

RJ100A series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive

inspections to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at each

door position, and various follow-on actions to correct discrepancies.

This proposal is prompted by a report that, during operational checks

of evacuation slides on in-service airplanes, the inflation valves

failed to deploy the evacuation slide properly. The actions specified

by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the evacuation

slide to deploy automatically on demand, which would necessitate the

flight crew to manually deploy the slide; this situation could delay or

impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 4, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-163-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from British Aerospace Holdings, Inc., Avro International

Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles International Airport,

Washington, DC 20041-6039; and Air Cruisers Company, P.O. Box 180,

Belmar, New Jersey 07719-0180. 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-163-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-163-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

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

authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an

unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A,

-200A, -300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A series

airplanes equipped with certain Air Cruiser evacuation slides. The CAA

advises that, during operational checks of evacuation slides on these

airplanes, the inflation valves failed to deploy the evacuation slide

properly. Subsequent investigation, conducted by Air Cruisers (the

manufacturer of the evacuation slides), revealed that the existing

design of the inflation valves requires excessive operating pull force

to activate deployment of the evacuation slide. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in failure of the evacuation slide to deploy

automatically, which necessitates the flight crew to manually deploy

the slide. This situation could delay or impede the evacuation of

passengers during an emergency.

British Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 25-328, Revision

2, dated July 10, 1993, which describes procedures for repetitive

inspections to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at each

door position, and various follow-on actions to correct discrepancies.

The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory.

Addditionally, Air Cruisers Company has issued Service Bulletin

S.B. 201-25-17, dated June 4, 1992, which describes procedures for

modification of the inflation valve of the evacuation slide. This

modification entails replacing the existing valve with a new, improved

valve. The new valve has a lower maximum operating pull force, which

will permit the evacuation slide to deploy automatically on demand.

This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is

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 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 require repetitive

inspections to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at each

door position, and various follow-on actions to correct discrepancies.

The proposed AD would also require modification of the inflation valve

of the evacuation slide, which would terminate the repetitive

inspection requirements. The actions would be required to be

accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described

previously.

The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3.5 work

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

average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be

supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on

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

operators is estimated to be $8,610, or $210 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

part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. 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 adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International

Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, PLC; British

Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Docket 94-NM-163-AD.

Applicability: Model British Aerospace BAe 146-100A, -200A, -

300A and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, -RJ85A, and -RJ100A series airplanes;

equipped with Air Cruisers Company evacuation slides, as listed in

British Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B. 25-328, Revision 2, dated

July 10, 1993; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent failure of the evacuation slide to deploy

automatically, which necessitates the flight crew to manually deploy

the slide and subsequently could delay or impede the evacuation of

passengers during an emergency, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform

an inspection to verify proper deployment of the evacuation slide at

each door position, in accordance with British Aerospace Service

Bulletin S.B. 25-328, Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993.

(1) If the slide deploys properly, repeat the inspection

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 months.

(2) If any slide fails to deploy properly, prior to further

flight, conduct the actions specified in paragraphs 2.A.3 through

2.A.6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

(b) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, modify

the inflation valves of the evacuation slide, in accordance with Air

Cruisers Company Service Bulletin S.B. 201-25-17, dated June 4,

1992. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating

action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

(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: 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

Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 1994.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-27476 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am]

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