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-31-AD; Amendment 39-8867; AD 94-07-09]

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

200A, and -300A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive

(AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -

200A, and -300A series airplanes, that currently requires installation

of a placard, which prescribes special procedures when operating at

certain flight levels with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON;

modification of the air brake auto-retract function; and revision of

the FAA- approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include special

procedures for operation in certain icing conditions. This amendment

requires additional revisions to the AFM, which prescribe certain

altitude and operating limitations and procedures. This amendment is

prompted by reports of uncommanded engine thrust reductions (rollback)

when operating in the vicinity of thunderstorms. The actions specified

in this AD are intended to prevent engine power rollback during flight

in icing conditions.

DATES: Effective April 15, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications as listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of April 15, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of British Aerospace Service

Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992, as listed in

the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of December 17, 1992 (57 FR 53548, November 12, 1992).

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before May 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055-4056.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from

British Aerospace, Incorporated, Avro Division, 22070 Broderick Drive,

Sterling, Virginia 20166. This information may be examined at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: On November 3, 1992, the FAA issued AD 92-

24-09, Amendment 39-8415 (57 FR 53548, November 12, 1992), which is

applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and

-300A series airplanes. That AD requires installation of a placard,

which prescribes special procedures when operating at certain flight

levels with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON; modification of

the air brake auto-retract function; and revision of the FAA-approved

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include special procedures to be

observed when operating in certain icing conditions. That action was

prompted by a report of spool down/rollback and subsequent shutdown of

one or more engines on a Model BAe 146-200 series airplane that was in

flight. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent loss of

sufficient power to sustain flight.

Since the issuance of that AD, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),

which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, notified

the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace

Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes. The CAA advises

that it has received additional reports of uncommanded engine thrust

reductions (rollbacks) when operating these airplanes in icing

conditions in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Although the exact cause

for these engine power rollbacks has not yet been ascertained, the FAA

has determined that, based upon the best data available to date,

special altitude and operating limitations must be imposed when

operating these airplanes in icing conditions above 26,000 feet

altitude in order to preclude the possibility of a significant engine

power rollback that may result in insufficient power to sustain flight.

These limitations are applicable to all Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and

-300A series airplanes, since the cause for this problem has not been

isolated to any specific configuration or series of airplanes of this

type design.

British Aerospace has issued Issue No. 2 of the following Temporary

Revisions (TR) to the AFM, all dated February 1994. These TR's contain

certain altitude and operating limitations and procedures to be

followed when icing conditions exist above 26,000 feet altitude:

1. TR 30, Document No. BAe 3.3 (for Model BAe 146-100A series

airplanes),

2. TR 41 and TR 42, Document No. BAe 3.6 (for Model BAe 146-200A

series airplanes), and

3. TR 23, Document No. BAe 3.11 (for Model BAe 146-300A series

airplanes).

The CAA has approved these AFM revisions and has issued a British

airworthiness directive to mandate the described limitations and

procedures.

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, this AD supersedes AD 92-24-09 to require

additional revisions to the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

by removing the existing Temporary Revision of the AFM required by AD

92-24-09 and replacing them with Issue No. 2 of the Temporary Revisions

of the AFM described previously. This AD continues to require

installation of a placard, which prescribes special procedures when

operating at certain flight levels with the engine and airframe anti-

ice switch ON and modification of the air brake auto-retract function.

This is considered to be interim action until final action is

identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of

this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior

public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for

making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves

requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by

notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on

this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments will

be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the

AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD 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-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will 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 final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency

regulation and that it is not considered to be a significant regulatory

action under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that

this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the

location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 39-8415 (57 FR

53548, November 12, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), amendment 39-8867, to read as follows:

94-07-09 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-8867. Docket 94-NM-31-AD.

Supersedes AD 92-24-09, Amendment 39-8415.

Applicability: All Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series

airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

Note 1: Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD merely restate the

requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of AD 92-24-09, Amendment 39-

8415. As allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,''

if those requirements of AD 92-24-09 have already been accomplished,

this AD does not require that those actions be repeated.

To prevent engine power rollback during flight in icing

conditions, accomplish the following:

(a) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin

SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Within 30 days

after December 17, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-24-09,

Amendment 39-8415), install a placard below the ice protection

switches on the flight deck overhead panel to include additional

procedures to be followed when operating at certain flight levels

with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON, in accordance with

British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1,

dated April 3, 1992.

(b) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin

SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Within 30 days

after December 17, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-24-09,

Amendment 39-8415), modify the air brake auto-retract function, in

accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A,

Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992.

(c) Within 70 hours time-in-service after the effective date of

this AD, amend the FAA-approved AFM as required by paragraphs (c)(1)

and (c)(2) of this AD:

(1) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin

SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Remove the

following Temporary Revisions (TR) from the Limitations Section and

Normal/Abnormal Procedures Section, as applicable:

(i) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes:

TR 22 (Document No. BAe 3.3), dated April 1992.

(ii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes:

TR 28 (Document No. BAe 3.6), dated April 1992; or TR 33 (Document

No. BAe 3.6), dated April 1992; as applicable.

(iii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes:

TR 12 (Document No. BAe 3.11), dated March 1992.

(2) For all airplanes: Insert the following TR's into the

Limitations Section and the Normal/Abnormal Procedures/Handling

Section, as applicable:

Note 2: When the following Temporary Revisions have been

incorporated into an AFM General Revision, the applicable AFM

General Revision may be inserted into the corresponding FAA-approved

AFM, provided the information contained in the AFM General Revision

corresponds identically to that specified in TR 30, TR 41, TR 42, or

TR 23.

(i) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes:

TR 30, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994.

(ii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes:

TR 41, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; or TR 42, Issue No. 2,

dated February 1994; as applicable.

(iii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes:

TR 23, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994.

(d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

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

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the

airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be

accomplished.

(f) The revision of the AFM shall be done in accordance with

Temporary Revision No. 30 (Document No. BAe 3.3), Issue No. 2, dated

February 1994; Temporary Revision No. 41 (Document No. BAe 3.6),

Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; Temporary Revision No. 42

(Document No. BAe 3.6), Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; and

Temporary Revision No. 23 (Document No. BAe 3.11), Issue No. 2,

dated February 1994 ; as applicable. The incorporation by reference

of these documents is approved by the Director of the Federal

Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The

installation of the placard and modification shall be in accordance

with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1,

dated April 3, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved

previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance

with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of December 17, 1992 (57

FR 53548, November 12, 1992). Copies may be obtained from British

Aerospace, Incorporated, Avro Division, 22070 Broderick Drive,

Sterling, Virginia 20166. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 15, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-7491 Filed 3-30-94; 8:45 am]

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