[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46301-46303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18387]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0631; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-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 a cracked pick-
up bracket of the forward outboard pylon of the number 1 engine due to
stress corrosion. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections
and, depending on findings, repair of the pylon pick-up brackets. We
are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the pick-up
bracket, which could result in the engine pylon separating from the
wing, with consequent damage to the airplane and reduced
controllability.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 16,
2013.
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; phone: (425)-1175; fax:
(425)-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-2013-0631;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-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 2012-0136, dated July 20, 2012 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
While carrying out a scheduled environmental inspection, an
operator found
[[Page 46302]]
a cracked number 1 engine forward outboard pylon pick-up bracket.
Cracks were present on the upper flange of the bracket running
between all 3 attachment bolt holes. Subsequent investigation
revealed that the cause of cracking was stress corrosion. Cracking
of the pylon pick-up brackets at the top and bottom flanges could
reduce the capability of the brackets to support the ultimate
sideload, particularly if cracking is present on more than one
flange.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
the engine pylon separation from the wing, likely resulting in
damage to [and controllability of] the aeroplane and possible injury
to persons on the ground.
* * * * *
For reasons described above, this AD requires the inspection
and, depending on findings, repair of the affected pylon pick-up
brackets.
The inspection includes a special detailed inspection with a
videoscope. Corrective actions can include replacing any affected pylon
pick-up brackets, and doing any follow-on skin repairs. 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.57-073, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2012; and Revision
2, dated March 8, 2012. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
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.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 1 product 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 $170, or $170 per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD.
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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2013-0631;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-142-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 16, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to 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 57, Wings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked pick-up bracket of
the forward outboard pylon of the number 1 engine due to stress
corrosion. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of
the pick-up bracket, which could result in the engine pylon
separating from the wing, with consequent damage to the airplane and
reduced controllability.
(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) Repetitive Inspections
(1) Within the initial compliance time specified in paragraphs
(g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable, and thereafter
at intervals not to exceed 24 months: Do a special detailed
inspection with a videoscope of the flanges of the Rib 10 forward
pylon pick-up bracket of each engine pylon for cracking, corrosion,
and other defects, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.57-073, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2012; or Revision
2, dated March 8, 2012.
(i) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, except
as provided by paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(ii) For airplanes on which a maintenance records check
positively determines that both forward pylon pick-up brackets have
been replaced since first flight of the airplane: Within 20 months
after the effective date of this AD.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, any cracking,
[[Page 46303]]
corrosion or other defect of any Rib 10 forward pylon pick-up
bracket is found: Before further flight, repair or replace the
bracket as specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this
AD.
(i) Repair a bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.57-073, Revision 1, dated January 27, 2012; or Revision
2, dated March 8, 2012.
(ii) Replace a bracket using a method approved by either the
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or
its delegated agent).
(3) Repairing or replacing a Rib 10 forward pylon pick-up
bracket, as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, does not
terminate the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph
(g) of this AD, if the actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD using BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.57-073, dated September 6, 2010.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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; phone: (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 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0136,
dated July 20, 2012, 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 July 21, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18387 Filed 7-30-13; 8:45 am]
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