Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-70-AD; Amendment 39-11407; AD 99-23-11]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and

Avro 146-RJ Series 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 Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ

series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect signs

of chafing to the fuel feed pipe, and repair or replacement of the fuel

feed pipe with a serviceable part, if necessary; and ensuring that

responder units, electrical connector backshells, and associated wiring

are undamaged and are positioned correctly to provide maximum clearance

with the fuel pipe. 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

damage to the fuel feed pipe, which could result in fuel leaks and an

increased potential for fire on the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 20, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of December 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,

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 Model

BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal

Register on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43955). That action proposed to

require repetitive inspections to detect signs of chafing to the fuel

feed pipe, and repair or replacement of the fuel feed pipe with a

serviceable part, if necessary; and ensuring that responder units,

electrical connector backshells, and associated wiring are undamaged

and are positioned correctly to provide maximum clearance with the fuel

pipe.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the comments received.

Request To Change the Repetitive Inspection Interval

One commenter, the manufacturer, states that the repetitive

inspection interval required by paragraph (a) of the proposed AD is not

consistent with the interval described in the service bulletin. The

service bulletin indicates that the interval should be at each ``C''

check, which the manufacturer has confirmed to be at 4,000 flight

cycles, or within 2 years, whichever occurs first.

The FAA infers that the commenter is requesting that the inspection

interval be revised to correspond to ``C'' check intervals. The FAA

concurs. It was the FAA's intention to require repetitive inspections

at an interval corresponding to the majority of operators' scheduled

``C'' checks. The interval in the proposed AD was erroneously stated as

3,000 flight hours. Based on the information provided by the

manufacturer, the FAA has revised the repetitive inspection interval in

paragraph (a) of the final rule to specify an inspection interval of

4,000 flight cycles, or within 2 years, whichever occurs first.

Request To Change the Cost Impact

The commenter estimates that there are 45 U.S.-registered airplanes

affected by this AD. In the notice of proposed rulemaking, the FAA had

estimated that 20 airplanes were affected.

The FAA concurs and has changed the cost impact paragraph in the

final rule to indicate that 45 airplanes are affected by this AD.

[[Page 61783]]

Request To Change Service Information Address

The commenter states that the address used to obtain service

information has been changed from AI(R) American Support to British

Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support. The remainder of the

address is unchanged: 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.

The FAA concurs and has changed the final rule to indicate the new

address.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comments

noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public

interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described

previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither

increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of

the AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 45 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour 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 $2,700, or $60 per

airplane, per inspection cycle.

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.

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:

99-23-07 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British

Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace

Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft

Limited): Amendment 39-11407. Docket 99-NM-70-AD.

Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes,

except those on which Modification HCMO1638A (British Aerospace

Service Bulletin SB.26-44-01638A, dated February 25, 1999) has been

accomplished; certificated in any category.

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

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise 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 (c) 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 damage to the fuel feed pipe, which could result in

fuel leaks and an increased potential for fire on the airplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform

a detailed visual inspection of the fuel feed pipe for signs of

chafing, and ensure that responder units are undamaged and

positioned correctly in relation to clamps and that electrical

connector backshells and associated wiring are undamaged and are

oriented to provide maximum clearance with the fuel pipe; in

accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.26-44, dated

February 25, 1999.

(1) If no chafing is detected, repeat the inspection thereafter

at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles or 2 years, whichever

occurs first, until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.

(2) If any sign of chafing is detected, prior to further flight,

accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as

applicable, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin

SB.26-44, dated February 25, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter

at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles or 2 years, whichever

occurs first, until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.

(i) If the damage does not exceed one-half the thickness of the

fuel feed pipe wall, prior to further flight, repair the pipe.

(ii) If the damage exceeds one-half the thickness of the fuel

feed pipe wall, prior to further flight, replace the pipe with a

serviceable part.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a

specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to

detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is

normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at

intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such

as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning

and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

(b) Modification of the clamping arrangement for the firewall

responder units in accordance with British Aerospace Service

Bulletin SB.26-44-01638A, dated February 25, 1999, constitutes

terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International

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

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with British

Aerospace Service

[[Page 61784]]

Bulletin SB.26-44, dated February 25, 1999. 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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,

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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British

airworthiness directive 009-02-99.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 20, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 1999.

Vi L. Lipski,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-29055 Filed 11-12-99; 8:45 am]

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