[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 49458-49460] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-25041] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 96-NM-187-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 Series Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD), that is applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection to determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reversers, and to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion; and corrective actions, if necessary. This action would require that the inspections be repeated at certain intervals. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the control cables, which may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser while the airplane is in flight. DATES: Comments must be received by October 17, 1997. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-187-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 (Operations) Ltd., [[Page 49459]] trading as British Aerospace Airbus Ltd., P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, England. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149. 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 96-NM-187-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. 96-NM-187-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Discussion On August 4, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-17-02, amendment 39-8997 (59 FR 41235, August 11, 1994) applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, to require a one-time inspection to determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reverser, and correction of the tension, if necessary; a one-time inspection of the cables to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion, and replacement of discrepant cables with serviceable cables; and lubrication of the cables. That action was prompted by a report of a frayed and corroded control cable. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent failure of the control cables, which may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy, and subsequently, adversely affect stopping distances and controllability of the airplane on the runway during landing. Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule Since the issuance of that AD, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority of the United Kingdom, advises that two in-service cable failures have resulted in uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser at engine power idle on the ground on a Model BAC 1-11 500 series airplane. Corrosion, damage or wear of the cables, if not corrected, could lead to cable failure and result in inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser while the airplane is in flight. The FAA has determined that additional inspections are necessary to ensure the integrity of the thrust reverser control cables in the stub wing. Since the thrust reverser system on Model BAC 1-11 500 series airplanes is similar in design to that of Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, these airplanes are also subject to the same unsafe condition. Explanation of Relevant Service Information British Aerospace has issued Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 1995, which describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the control cables of the thrust reverser to determine the tension of the control cables, and correction of the tension, if necessary; inspections of the control cables to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion, and replacement of discrepant control cables with serviceable cables; and lubrication of the cables. The CAA classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom. FAA's Conclusions 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. Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule 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 accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service bulletin described previously. Cost Impact The FAA estimates that 42 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The actions currently required by AD 94-17-02 take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of AD 94-17-02 on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,560, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle. The new actions that are proposed in this AD would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,560, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle. The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. Regulatory Impact 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 [[Page 49460]] 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8997 (59 FR 41235, August 11, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as follows: British Aerospace: Docket : 96-NM-187-AD. Supersedes AD 94-17-02, Amendment 39-8997. Applicability: All Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent failure of the thrust reverser control cables, which may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an uncommanded thrust reverser deployment while the airplane is in flight, accomplish the following: (a) Within 100 hours time-in-service or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an inspection to determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reverser, in accordance with British Aerospace, Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 1995. If the tension of any control cable is outside the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, correct the tension of that cable in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 hours time-in- service or 12 months, whichever occurs first. (b) Within 100 hours time-in-service or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an inspection to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion (swelling) of the control cable of the thrust reverser, in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 76-A- PM6031, dated January 18, 1995. (1) If no discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, lubricate the cables in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 hours time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first. (2) If any control cable is damaged, is worn beyond the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, is corroded, or has a broken wire, prior to further flight, replace the discrepant cable with a serviceable cable, and lubricate the cables in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2400 hours time-in-service or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 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 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 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 September 15, 1997. James V. Devany, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-25041 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P