[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11358]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 12, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-42-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-100A, -
200A, and -300A Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace
Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, that currently
requires replacing the quick release coupling halves on each end of the
pump case drain line on the hydraulic engine driven pump (EDP) on the
number 2 and number 3 engines with improved fire resistant coupling
halves. This action would revise the applicability of the existing AD.
This proposal is prompted by the identification of additional airplanes
that are subject to the addressed unsafe condition. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent hydraulic fluid
leakage from the pump case drain line quick release coupling, which
could fuel the flames in the event of an engine fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 13, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-42-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from British Aerospace, PLC, Librarian for Service Bulletins,
P.O. Box 17414, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-
0414. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal 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-42-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter
Availability of NPRMs -
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-NM-42-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On November 29, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-24-05, Amendment 39-8754
(58 FR 67310), applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146-
100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes, to require replacement of the
quick release coupling halves on each end of the pump case drain line
on the hydraulic engine driven pump (EDP) on the number 2 and number 3
engines with improved fire resistant coupling halves. That action was
prompted by a fire resistance test of the hydraulic EDP, associated
hoses, and couplings installed on the number 2 and number 3 engines,
which revealed that the pump case drain line quick release couplings
leaked hydraulic fluid. The requirements of that AD are intended to
prevent hydraulic fluid leakage from the pump case drain line quick
release coupling, which could fuel the flames in the event of an engine
fire.
Since issuance of that AD, British Aerospace has issued Service
Bulletin SB.29-31-01339A, Revision 1, dated July 8, 1993, which revises
the effectivity listing of the original issue of the service bulletin
by adding the serial numbers of affected Model BAe 146-100A and -200A
series airplanes. In addition, one Model BAe 146-300A series airplane,
serial number E3220, is removed from the service bulletin effectivity.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, classified this service bulletin as
mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in the United Kingdom. -
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, the proposed AD would supersede AD 93-24-05 to
continue to require replacement of the quick release coupling halves on
each end of the pump case drain line on the hydraulic EDP on the number
2 and number 3 engines with improved fire resistant coupling halves.
The proposed AD would revise the applicability of the existing AD, and
would reflect the latest revision of the service bulletin as the
appropriate source of service information.
The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $7,590, or $165 per airplane. -
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 39-8754 (58 FR
67310), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as
follows:
British Aerospace: Docket 94-NM-42-AD. Supersedes AD 93-24-05,
Amendment 39-8754.
Applicability: Model BAe 146-100A series airplanes, serial
numbers E1002 through E1199 inclusive; Model BAe 146-200A series
airplanes, serial numbers E2008 through E2204 inclusive, E2210
through E2220 inclusive; and Model BAe 146-300A series airplanes,
serial numbers E3001 through E3219 inclusive, and E3222;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
Note 1: Paragraph (a) of this AD merely restates the requirement
of paragraph (a) of AD 93-24-05, Amendment 39-8754. As allowed by
the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if that requirement
of AD 93-24-05 has already been accomplished, this AD does not
require that the action be repeated.
To prevent hydraulic fluid leakage from the pump case drain line
quick release couplings, which could fuel the flames in the event of
an engine fire, accomplish the following:
(a) For airplane serial numbers E3001 through E3207 inclusive,
E3209 through E3219 inclusive, and E3222: Within 6 months after
January 20, 1994 (the effective date of AD 93-24-05, Amendment 39-
8754), replace the quick release coupling halves on each end of the
pump case drain line on the hydraulic engine driven pump (EDP) on
the number 2 and number 3 engines with improved fire resistant
coupling halves, in accordance with British Aerospace Service
Bulletin SB.29-31-01339A, dated May 24, 1993, or SB.29-31-01339A,
Revision 1, dated July 8, 1993.
(b) For airplane serial numbers E1002 through E1199 inclusive,
E2008 through E2204 inclusive, E2210 through E2220 inclusive, and
E3208: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the quick release coupling halves on each end of the pump case drain
line on the hydraulic EDP on the number 2 and number 3 engines with
improved fire resistant coupling halves, in accordance with British
Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.29-31-01339A, Revision 1, dated July
8, 1993.
(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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Sec. 21.197 and Sec. 21.199 to
operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD
can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11358 Filed 5-11-94; 8:45 am]
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