[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7491]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 31, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-31-AD; Amendment 39-8867; AD 94-07-09]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A series airplanes, that currently requires installation
of a placard, which prescribes special procedures when operating at
certain flight levels with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON;
modification of the air brake auto-retract function; and revision of
the FAA- approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include special
procedures for operation in certain icing conditions. This amendment
requires additional revisions to the AFM, which prescribe certain
altitude and operating limitations and procedures. This amendment is
prompted by reports of uncommanded engine thrust reductions (rollback)
when operating in the vicinity of thunderstorms. The actions specified
in this AD are intended to prevent engine power rollback during flight
in icing conditions.
DATES: Effective April 15, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications as listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 15, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of British Aerospace Service
Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992, as listed in
the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register as of December 17, 1992 (57 FR 53548, November 12, 1992).
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 31, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
British Aerospace, Incorporated, Avro Division, 22070 Broderick Drive,
Sterling, Virginia 20166. This information may be examined 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 3, 1992, the FAA issued AD 92-
24-09, Amendment 39-8415 (57 FR 53548, November 12, 1992), which is
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and
-300A series airplanes. That AD requires installation of a placard,
which prescribes special procedures when operating at certain flight
levels with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON; modification of
the air brake auto-retract function; and revision of the FAA-approved
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include special procedures to be
observed when operating in certain icing conditions. That action was
prompted by a report of spool down/rollback and subsequent shutdown of
one or more engines on a Model BAe 146-200 series airplane that was in
flight. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent loss of
sufficient power to sustain flight.
Since the issuance of that AD, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace
Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes. The CAA advises
that it has received additional reports of uncommanded engine thrust
reductions (rollbacks) when operating these airplanes in icing
conditions in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Although the exact cause
for these engine power rollbacks has not yet been ascertained, the FAA
has determined that, based upon the best data available to date,
special altitude and operating limitations must be imposed when
operating these airplanes in icing conditions above 26,000 feet
altitude in order to preclude the possibility of a significant engine
power rollback that may result in insufficient power to sustain flight.
These limitations are applicable to all Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and
-300A series airplanes, since the cause for this problem has not been
isolated to any specific configuration or series of airplanes of this
type design.
British Aerospace has issued Issue No. 2 of the following Temporary
Revisions (TR) to the AFM, all dated February 1994. These TR's contain
certain altitude and operating limitations and procedures to be
followed when icing conditions exist above 26,000 feet altitude:
1. TR 30, Document No. BAe 3.3 (for Model BAe 146-100A series
airplanes),
2. TR 41 and TR 42, Document No. BAe 3.6 (for Model BAe 146-200A
series airplanes), and
3. TR 23, Document No. BAe 3.11 (for Model BAe 146-300A series
airplanes).
The CAA has approved these AFM revisions and has issued a British
airworthiness directive to mandate the described limitations and
procedures.
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, this AD supersedes AD 92-24-09 to require
additional revisions to the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
by removing the existing Temporary Revision of the AFM required by AD
92-24-09 and replacing them with Issue No. 2 of the Temporary Revisions
of the AFM described previously. This AD continues to require
installation of a placard, which prescribes special procedures when
operating at certain flight levels with the engine and airframe anti-
ice switch ON and modification of the air brake auto-retract function.
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation and that it is not considered to be a significant regulatory
action under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that
this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, 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 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8415 (57 FR
53548, November 12, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-8867, to read as follows:
94-07-09 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-8867. Docket 94-NM-31-AD.
Supersedes AD 92-24-09, Amendment 39-8415.
Applicability: All Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series
airplanes, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
Note 1: Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD merely restate the
requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of AD 92-24-09, Amendment 39-
8415. As allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,''
if those requirements of AD 92-24-09 have already been accomplished,
this AD does not require that those actions be repeated.
To prevent engine power rollback during flight in icing
conditions, accomplish the following:
(a) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Within 30 days
after December 17, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-24-09,
Amendment 39-8415), install a placard below the ice protection
switches on the flight deck overhead panel to include additional
procedures to be followed when operating at certain flight levels
with the engine and airframe anti-ice switch ON, in accordance with
British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1,
dated April 3, 1992.
(b) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Within 30 days
after December 17, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-24-09,
Amendment 39-8415), modify the air brake auto-retract function, in
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A,
Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992.
(c) Within 70 hours time-in-service after the effective date of
this AD, amend the FAA-approved AFM as required by paragraphs (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of this AD:
(1) For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin
SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1, dated April 3, 1992: Remove the
following Temporary Revisions (TR) from the Limitations Section and
Normal/Abnormal Procedures Section, as applicable:
(i) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes:
TR 22 (Document No. BAe 3.3), dated April 1992.
(ii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes:
TR 28 (Document No. BAe 3.6), dated April 1992; or TR 33 (Document
No. BAe 3.6), dated April 1992; as applicable.
(iii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes:
TR 12 (Document No. BAe 3.11), dated March 1992.
(2) For all airplanes: Insert the following TR's into the
Limitations Section and the Normal/Abnormal Procedures/Handling
Section, as applicable:
Note 2: When the following Temporary Revisions have been
incorporated into an AFM General Revision, the applicable AFM
General Revision may be inserted into the corresponding FAA-approved
AFM, provided the information contained in the AFM General Revision
corresponds identically to that specified in TR 30, TR 41, TR 42, or
TR 23.
(i) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes:
TR 30, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994.
(ii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes:
TR 41, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; or TR 42, Issue No. 2,
dated February 1994; as applicable.
(iii) For British Aerospace Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes:
TR 23, Issue No. 2, dated February 1994.
(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be
accomplished.
(f) The revision of the AFM shall be done in accordance with
Temporary Revision No. 30 (Document No. BAe 3.3), Issue No. 2, dated
February 1994; Temporary Revision No. 41 (Document No. BAe 3.6),
Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; Temporary Revision No. 42
(Document No. BAe 3.6), Issue No. 2, dated February 1994; and
Temporary Revision No. 23 (Document No. BAe 3.11), Issue No. 2,
dated February 1994 ; as applicable. The incorporation by reference
of these documents is approved by the Director of the Federal
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The
installation of the placard and modification shall be in accordance
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.11-97-01285A, Revision 1,
dated April 3, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved
previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of December 17, 1992 (57
FR 53548, November 12, 1992). Copies may be obtained from British
Aerospace, Incorporated, Avro Division, 22070 Broderick Drive,
Sterling, Virginia 20166. 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 April 15, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-7491 Filed 3-30-94; 8:45 am]
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