[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 193 (Thursday, October 4, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60651-60653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24473]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2012 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 60651]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1040; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-029-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146, and Avro 146-RJ series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of loss of the end
caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube of the wing leading edge. This
proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the end caps on the
anti-icing piccolo tube for lost or loose end caps, and replacing or
repairing the end caps if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect
and correct lost and loose end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube, and
ice accretion on the wing leading edge or run-back ice, which could
lead to a reduction in the stall margin on approach and loss of
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 19,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department,
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United
Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email
[email protected]; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175;
fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1040;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-029-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0003, dated January 6, 2012 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
An operator reported the loss of the wing leading edge anti-
icing piccolo tube end caps on two aircraft. This was discovered
during routine zonal inspections when the wing tips were removed.
The loss of the end cap would result in a reduction in anti-icing
efficiency, over the outboard portion of the leading edge of that
wing, affecting approximately 25% of the wingspan towards the wing
tip.
The System Safety Analysis (SSA) classifies the loss of anti-
icing of both of the outer wings as hazardous if the loss is not
indicated to the crew. The loss of a piccolo tube end cap would not
be indicated to the flight crew and, therefore, this reduction in
anti-icing capability on one wing must also be classified as
hazardous.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
ice accretion on the wing leading edge, or run-back ice and could
lead to a reduction in the stall margin on approach together with a
reduction in roll control authority.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
off [detailed] inspection [for lost and loose end caps] of the
piccolo tube end caps. The results of this inspection will be used
to establish a suitable repeat inspection period, which will be
introduced through the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) process.
The corrective action is replacing or repairing the end caps if
necessary. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB. 30-025, dated April 19, 2011. The actions described in
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
[[Page 60652]]
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
Although EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0003, dated January 6,
2012, and BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin
ISB. 30-025, dated April 19, 2011, specify a reporting requirement,
this AD does not require reporting. This difference has been
coordinated with EASA.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 2 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $340, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing $140, for a cost of
$820 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products
that may need these actions.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
>BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2012-1040;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-029-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 19, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A,
146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category;
all serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and rain
protection.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of loss of the end caps on the
anti-icing piccolo tube of the wing leading edge. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct lost and loose end caps on the anti-
icing piccolo tube, and ice accretion on the wing leading edge or
run-back ice, which could lead to a reduction in the stall margin on
approach and loss of controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Inspection
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection of the end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube
for lost and loose end caps, in accordance the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB. 30-025, dated April 19, 2011.
(h) Corrective Action
If, during the detailed inspection required by paragraph (g) of
this AD, a lost or loose end cap of the anti-icing piccolo tube is
found: Before next flight, replace the end cap, in accordance the
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB. 30-025, dated April 19, 2011, or
repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated
agent).
(i) No Reporting Requirement
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0003, dated January 6, 2012,
specifies a reporting requirement; this AD does not require
reporting.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate.
If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it
to ATTN: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch,
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or
[[Page 60653]]
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0003, dated
January 6, 2012; and BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB. 30-025, dated April 19, 2011; for related
information.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department,
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United
Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email
[email protected]; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 27, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-24473 Filed 10-3-12; 8:45 am]
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