[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75289-75291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29514]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-1026; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-173-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 series airplanes and
Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by
reports of cracking of the main fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG).
This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program by
incorporating a new safe-life limitation for the NLG main fitting. We
are proposing this AD to prevent collapse of the NLG, which could lead
to degradation of direction control on the ground or an un-commanded
turn to the left and a consequent loss of control of the airplane on
the ground, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to
occupants.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 27,
2014.
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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 view this 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-2013-1026;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-173-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 2012-0191R1, dated November 6, 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:
Several occurrences of the aeroplane's Nose Landing Gear (NLG)
Main Fitting cracking have been reported. Subsequently in different
cases, NLG Main Fitting crack lead to collapsed NLG, locked NLG
steering and an aeroplane's un-commanded steering to the left.
Cracks in the NLG Bell Housing are not detectable with the NLG
fitted to the aeroplane and are difficult to detect during overhaul
without substantial disassembly of the gear.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to degradation of
directional control on the ground or an un-commanded turn to the
left and a consequent loss of control of the aeroplane on the
ground, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to
occupants.
Prompted by these findings, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued
Inspection Service Bulletin (ISB) 32-186 (hereafter referred to as
the ISB) to introduce a new safe life of 16,000 flight cycles (FC)
for certain NLG main fittings, having a Part Number (P/N) as
identified in Paragraph 1A, tables 1, 2 and 3 of the ISB.
[[Page 75290]]
To correct this unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2012-0191R1 to
require implementation of the new safe-life limitation for the
affected NLG main fittings and replacement of fittings that have
already exceeded the new limit.
Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it was found that clarification
is necessary regarding the existing NLG main fitting life limits.
Consequently, this [EASA] AD is revised by adding a Note to clarify
that the current life limits, as specified in the applicable
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), remain valid and should be
applied, pending compliance with this AD.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-1026.
Relevant Service Information
BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED has issued Subject 05-10-15,
``Aircraft Equipment Airworthiness Limitations,'' of Chapter 05, ``Time
Limits/Maintenance Checks,'' of the BAE Systems BAe 146 Series/AVRO
146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 108, dated
September 15, 2012; and BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.32-186, dated April 12, 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.
This proposed AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections) and Critical
Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with
these actions and CDCCLs is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas
addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to
accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation,
to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for
an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this
proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the
required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety
of the airplane.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
This proposed AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: Although the MCAI specifies replacement thresholds for the
affected NLG fittings, this proposed AD does not specify these
thresholds as they are addressed by the maintenance program and
contained in the safe-life limitations of the NLG main fitting, as
specified in Chapter 05, ``Time Limits/Maintenance Checks,'' of the BAE
Systems BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance Manual,
Revision 108, dated September 15, 2012.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise maintenance program........ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $340
hour = $85.
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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.
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2013-1026;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-173-AD.
[[Page 75291]]
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 27, 2014.
(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 models, all serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the main fitting
of the nose landing gear (NLG). We are issuing this AD to prevent
collapse of the NLG, which could lead to degradation of direction
control on the ground or an un-commanded turn to the left and a
consequent loss of control of the airplane on the ground, possibly
resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revise Maintenance or Inspection Program
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the
maintenance or inspection program to incorporate a new safe-life
limitation of the NLG main fitting, as specified by BAE Systems BAe
146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision
108, dated September 15, 2012. Comply with all applicable
instructions and airworthiness limitations included in BAE Systems
BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance Manual,
Revision 108, dated September 15, 2012. The initial compliance times
for doing the actions is at the applicable times specified in BAE
Systems BAe 146 Series/AVRO 146-RJ Series Aircraft Maintenance
Manual, Revision 108, dated September 15, 2012, or within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later.
(h) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or Critical Design
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, or
CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, or CDCCLs are
approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
(i) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
NLG main fitting, having a part number identified in paragraph 1.A.,
Tables 1., 2., and 3. of BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.32-186, dated April 12, 2012, unless it is in
compliance with the requirements of this AD.
(j) 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; 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
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, use these actions if they
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its
delegated agent, or the design approval holder with a State of
Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair
method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer
to this AD. You are required to ensure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0191R1, dated November 6,
2012, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
(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 this
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 November 29, 2013.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-29514 Filed 12-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P