# Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-27479 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** November 7, 1994 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 94-NM-157-AD] Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposal would require inspections to detect cracking of the upper main fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement or repair of cracked parts. This proposal is prompted by reports of cracking of the upper main fitting of the NLG. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the main fitting, which could lead to collapse of the NLG during landing. 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-157-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. 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, ANM-113, 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-157-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-157-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Discussion On August 23, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-17-04, amendment 39-8674 (58 FR 47036, September 7, 1993), applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAe 146 series airplanes, to require repetitive eddy current or ultra high sensitivity penetrant inspections to detect cracking of the upper main fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement or repair of cracked parts. That action was prompted by reports of cracking in the main fittings of the NLG. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent failure of the main fitting, which could lead to collapse of the NLG during landing. AD 93-17-04 is applicable only to British Aerospace Model BAe 146 series airplanes. Since issuance of that AD, however, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, has advised that additional airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe condition addressed by the existing AD action. Further analysis has indicated that cracking of the upper main fitting of the NLG may occur on all British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. British Aerospace has issued Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993, of Service Bulletin S.B. 32-131. The inspection procedures described in this revision are identical to those described in Revision 1 of the service bulletin (which was referenced in AD 93-17-04). This revision only expands the effectivity listing to include additional airplanes. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory. 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 eddy current or ultra high sensitivity penetrant inspections, and replacement or repair of cracked parts. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described previously. This proposed rule would be applicable only to Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. (Note: The FAA's normal policy is that when an AD requires a substantive change, such as a change (expansion) in its applicability, the ``old'' AD is superseded by removing it from the system and a new AD is added. In the case of this AD action, the FAA normally would have proposed superseding AD 93-17-04 to expand its applicability to include Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes as the additional affected airplanes. However, in reconsideration of the entire fleet size that would be affected by a supersedure action, and the consequent workload associated with revising maintenance record entries, the FAA has determined that a less burdensome approach is to issue a separate AD applicable only to these additional airplanes. This AD does not supersede AD 93-17-04; airplanes listed in the applicability of AD 93-17-04 are required to continue to comply with the requirements of that AD. This proposed AD is a separate AD action, and is applicable to all British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes.) The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2.5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $450, or $150 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-152-AD. Applicability: All Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, certificated in any category. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent the failure of the main fitting, which could lead to collapse of the nose land gear (NLG) during landing, accomplish the following: (a) For airplanes on which NLG part number 200876001 or 200876003 has been installed: (1) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 total landings or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, conduct an eddy current or ultra high sensitivity penetrant inspection of the NLG, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B. 32-131, Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 landings. (2) If cracking is detected during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the currently installed NLG with a new or serviceable unit, or repair the crack, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. After replacement or repair, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 4,000 landings. (b) For airplanes on which NLG part number 200876002, 200876004, or 201138002 has been installed: - (1) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, conduct an eddy current or ultra sensitivity penetrant inspection of the NLG, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B. 32-131, Revision 2, dated July 10, 1993. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings. - (2) If cracking is detected during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the currently installed NLG with a new or serviceable unit, or repair the crack, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. After replacement or repair, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 8,000 landings. - (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 Secs. 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. 94-27479 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-27479. Public record. Not legal advice.