Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-312-AD; Amendment 39-10579; AD 98-12-25]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes, that

requires a one-time inspection to detect corrosion, wear, or damage of

the operating mechanism of the forward door of the main landing gear

(MLG); operational inspections to ensure smooth operation of the MLG

operating mechanism; and follow-on actions. This amendment is prompted

by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a

foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD

are intended to prevent partial seizure of the forward door of the MLG

operating mechanism, which could result in the inability to lower or

retract the MLG.

DATES: Effective July 15, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of July 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,

Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,

Rules Docket, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)

227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

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

Model ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 6,

1998 (63 FR 16713). That action proposed to require a one-time

inspection to detect corrosion, wear, or damage of the operating

mechanism of the forward door of the main landing gear (MLG);

operational inspections to ensure smooth operation of the MLG operating

mechanism; and follow-on actions.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest

require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor

rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of

the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,800, or $480 per

airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that

no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD

action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the

future if this AD were not adopted.

[[Page 31614]]

Regulatory Impact

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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

98-12-25 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream

Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]:

Amendment 39-10579. Docket 97-NM-312-AD.

Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers

2001 through 2063 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent partial seizure of the forward door of the main

landing gear (MLG) operating mechanism, which could result in the

inability to lower or retract the MLG, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 300 flight hours or within 90 days after the

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a one-

time visual inspection to detect corrosion, wear, or damage of the

operating mechanism of the forward door of the MLG; and clean,

degrease, and relubricate the door operating mechanism; in

accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-84,

Revision 1, dated September 26, 1997.

(1) If no corrosion, wear, or damage is detected during the

inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, no further action

is required by this AD.

(2) If any corrosion, damage, or worn component is detected

during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD,

accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii)

of this AD, as applicable.

(i) If any corrosion or damage is detected, prior to further

flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

(ii) If any worn component is detected, within 600 flight hours

after performing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this

AD, replace the component with a new or serviceable part in

accordance with the service bulletin.

(b) Within 300 flight hours after accomplishing the inspection

required by paragraph (a) of this AD, perform an operational

inspection to ensure smooth operation of the spring strut of the

forward door of the MLG, and relubricate the operating spring and

sliding tube of the forward door `A' frame, in accordance with

British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-84, Revision 1, dated

September 26, 1997.

(1) Repeat the operational inspections thereafter at intervals

not to exceed 300 flight hours, until the accumulation of 1,500

flight hours after the accomplishment of the inspection required by

paragraph (a) of this AD.

(2) Following the accomplishment of all inspections required by

paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, repeat the operational inspections and

relubrication required by paragraph (b) of this AD at intervals not

to exceed 1,500 flight hours.

(c) If any discrepancy is detected during any operational

inspection and relubrication required by paragraph (b) of this AD,

prior to further flight, replace any discrepant part with a new or

serviceable part in accordance with a method approved by the

Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

(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, International Branch, ANM-116.

Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send

it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

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

sections 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.

(f) Except as provided by paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (c) of this

AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace

Service Bulletin ATP-32-84, Revision 1, dated September 26, 1997.

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the

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

51. Copies may be obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850

Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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 July 15, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 98-15249 Filed 6-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U