[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27969]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-109-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Viscount 744,
745D, and 810 Series Airplanes.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace Model
Viscount 744, 745D, and 810 series airplanes. This proposal would
require repetitive inspections to detect fatigue cracking in the pivot
pins that attach both nose wheel steering actuators to the steering
head assembly, and replacement of cracked pins. This proposal is
prompted by a reported failure of a pivot pin due to fatigue cracking.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
failure of the pivot pin, which could result in the loss of nose wheel
steering capability.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 27, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-109-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from British Aerospace, The Military Business Unit (M.B.U.),
In-Service Aircraft, Greengate, Middleton, Manchester M24.1SA, England.
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-109-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-109-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority, which is the airworthiness authority
for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all British Aerospace Model Viscount 744, 745D
and 810 series airplanes. The CAA advises of a report of failure of the
pivot pin that attaches one of the two nose wheel steering actuators to
the steering head assembly on the nose undercarriage leg. The failure
of the pin has been attributed to fatigue cracking. This condition, if
not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could result in loss of
nose wheel steering capability.
British Aerospace has issued Viscount Preliminary Technical Leaflet
(PTL) 334, Issue 2 (for the Model 744 and 745D series airplanes), and
PTL 205, Issue 2 (for the Model 810 series airplanes), both dated July
8, 1994. These PTL's describe procedures for initial and repetitive
magnetic particle inspections to detect cracking of the pivot pin that
attaches the nose wheel steering actuators to the steering head
assembly, and replacement of cracked pins. The CAA classified these
PTL's 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 section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) 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 require initial and
repetitive magnetic particle inspections to detect cracking of the
pivot pin that attaches the nose wheel steering actuators to the
steering head assembly, and replacement of cracked pins. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the PTL's
described previously.
The FAA estimates that 29 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane, per inspection cycle, to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $5,220, or $180 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
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
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited (Formerly British
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, Vickers-Armstrongs Aircraft
Limited): Docket 94-NM-109-AD.
Applicability: All Model Viscount 744, 745D, and 810 series
airplanes, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of nose wheel steering capability due to failure
of the pivot pin, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,100 landings after the
effective date of this AD, or within 14 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a magnetic particle
inspection to detect cracks of the nose wheel steering actuators
connecting (pivot) pins, in accordance with either Viscount
Preliminary Technical Leaflet (PTL) 334 Issue 2, dated July 8, 1992
(for Model 744 and 745D series airplanes); or Viscount PTL 205,
Issue 2, dated July 8, 1992 (for Model 810 series airplanes); as
applicable. Repeat this inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 1,100 landings or 14 months, whichever occurs first.
(b) If any crack is found in a pivot pin during any inspection
required by this AD, replace the pivot pin in accordance with either
Preliminary Technical Leaflet (PTL) 334, Issue 2, dated July 8, 1992
(for Model 744 and 745D series airplanes), or Viscount PTL 205,
Issue 2, dated July 8, 1992 (for Model 810 series airplanes). After
replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD at intervals not to exceed 1,100 landings or within 14 months,
whichever occurs first.
(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: 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
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 7, 1994.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27969 Filed 11-10-94; 8:45 am]
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