Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Airplanes, 58774-58777 [E7-20462]
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58774
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 17, 2007 / Proposed Rules
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 have 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 that the 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
for a location to examine the regulatory
evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:22 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 214001
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–0049;
Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–168–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by December 3, 2007.
Affected ADs
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 737–
600, –700, –700C, –800, and –900 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, dated May 2,
2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of failure
of the drain tube assembly and support
clamp on the aft fairing of an engine strut.
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the drain tube assemblies and clamps on the
aft fairings of the struts of the number 1 and
number 2 engines. Such a failure could allow
leaked flammable fluids in the drain systems
to discharge on to the heat shields of the aft
fairings of the engine struts, which could
result in an undetected and uncontrollable
fire.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Replacement
(f) Within 60 months after the effective
date of this AD, remove the drain tube
assemblies and support clamps on the aft
fairing of the struts of engine number 1 and
engine number 2. These are to be replaced
with new drain tube assemblies and clamps,
in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 737–54–1043, dated May 2,
2007.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of
compliance or a different compliance time
for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR
39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on
any airplane to which the AMOC applies,
notify your appropriate principal inspector
(PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District
Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
Frm 00012
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
(b) None.
PO 00000
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October
9, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–20469 Filed 10–16–07; 8:45 am]
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
[Docket No. FAA–2007–0044; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–126–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 and Avro 146–RJ Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed
AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
An accumulator cylinder had material
defects and suffered an in-flight burst failure
causing damage to the aircraft structure.
* * *
The proposed AD would require
actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by November 16,
2007.
You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 17, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
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, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
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–2007–0044; Directorate Identifier
2007–NM–126–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 https://
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.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
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 2007–0076,
dated March 21, 2007 (referred to after
this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products.
The MCAI states:
An accumulator cylinder had material
defects and suffered an in-flight burst failure
causing damage to the aircraft structure. This
resulted in the issue of EASA Emergency AD
2006–0061–E [we issued AD 2006–23–12 to
address that EASA AD] that required the
identification and check of cylinders from
known suspect batches. Further
investigations and checks by the accumulator
manufacturer have concluded that all
cylinders from a particular supplier may not
have been correctly inspected at
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:41 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 214001
manufacture. To prevent the risk of further
failures, this Airworthiness Directive (AD)
requires all accumulators with cylinders from
this supplier to be identified and inspected
prior to re-installation.
The corrective action includes
replacing any accumulator found to
have a defect. You may obtain further
information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
has issued Inspection Service Bulletin
ISB.29–047, dated October 3, 2006. 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.
Differences Between This AD and the
MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and
related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But
we might have found it necessary to use
different words from those in the MCAI
to ensure the AD is clear for U.S.
operators and is enforceable. In making
these changes, we do not intend to differ
substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related
service information.
We might also have proposed
different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA
policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the
proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we
estimate that this proposed AD would
affect about 1 product of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take
about 4 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of
this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be
$320, or $320 per product.
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
58775
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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, 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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
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58776
§ 39.13
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 17, 2007 / Proposed Rules
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Formerly British Aerospace Regional
Aircraft): Docket No. FAA–2007–0044;
Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–126–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by
November 16, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Model BAe 146–100A,
–200A, and –300A series airplanes; and
Model Avro 146–RJ70A, 146–RJ85A, and
146–RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any
category, all models, all serial numbers.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 29: Hydraulic power.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
An accumulator cylinder had material
defects and suffered an in-flight burst failure
causing damage to the aircraft structure. This
resulted in the issue of EASA Emergency AD
2006–0061–E [we issued AD 2006–23–12 to
address that EASA AD] that required the
identification and check of cylinders from
known suspect batches. Further
investigations and checks by the accumulator
manufacturer have concluded that all
cylinders from a particular supplier may not
have been correctly inspected at
manufacture. To prevent the risk of further
failures, this Airworthiness Directive (AD)
requires all accumulators with cylinders from
this supplier to be identified and inspected
prior to re-installation.
The corrective action includes
replacing any accumulator found to
have a defect.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following
actions.
(1) Within 30 months after the effective
date of this AD, identify the installed
accumulator in accordance with paragraph
2.C. of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29–047,
dated October 3, 2006, which makes
reference to APPH Service Bulletin
AIR91666–29–03, dated July 2006.
(2) When an accumulator is identified as
being affected by this AD, before further
flight after accomplishing the actions
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD,
remove the accumulator in accordance with
paragraph 2.D. of BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29–
047, dated October 3, 2006, and do a
magnetic particle inspection of the cylinder
for any defects in accordance with APPH
Service Bulletin AIR91666–29–03, dated July
2006.
(3) If any defect is found during the
inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this
AD, before next flight, replace the
accumulator with a serviceable unit in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of APPH Service Bulletin
AIR91666–29–03, dated July 2006.
(4) After the effective date of this AD, no
person may install a spare accumulator
identified by APPH Service Bulletin
AIR91666–29–03, dated July 2006, as a
replacement part, unless it has been
inspected in accordance with APPH Service
Bulletin AIR91666–29–02, dated March 2006;
or APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666–29–03,
dated July 2006 (see second Note in
paragraph 1.D.(1) of BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.29–047, dated October 3, 2006,
for further explanation).
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/
or service information as follows:
(1) Where the MCAI specifies to identify
the installed accumulator within 6 weeks
after the effective date of the AD, we have
determined that the identification may be
done within 30 months after the effective
date of this AD to coincide with the
compliance time for the magnetic particle
inspection. In making this determination, we
considered the maximum interval of time
allowable for all affected airplanes to
continue to operate without compromising
safety, fleet usage, and the availability of
replacement parts.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, ANM–116,
International Branch, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Send information to ATTN: Todd Thompson,
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch,
ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425)
227–1175; fax (425) 227–1149. Before using
any approved AMOC on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify your
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the
FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO),
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from
a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required
to assure the product is airworthy before it
is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any
reporting requirement in this AD, under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved the information collection
requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120–0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation
Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2007–
0076, dated March 21, 2007, and the service
information listed in Table 1 of this AD for
related information.
TABLE 1.—SERVICE INFORMATION
Service Bulletin
Date
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666–29–02 ......................................................................................................................
APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666–29–03 ......................................................................................................................
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29–047 ...............................................................
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:41 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 214001
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
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E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
17OCP1
March 2006.
July 2006.
October 3, 2006.
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 17, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October
9, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–20462 Filed 10–16–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–0043; Directorate
Identifier 2007–NM–058–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 747–100, 747–100B, 747–100B
SUD, 747–200B, 747–200C, 747–200F,
747–300, 747–400, 747SR, and 747SP
Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to
supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to certain
Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The
existing AD currently requires
inspecting to detect cracking in certain
lower lobe fuselage skin lap joints,
doing repetitive inspections for cracking
at certain fastener locations having
countersunk fasteners, and replacing
countersunk fasteners with protruding
head fasteners at certain fastener
locations. This proposed AD would
replace a previous high-frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection method with
a new HFEC inspection method, add a
one-time inspection for cracking of
certain airplanes, and terminate the
adjustment factor for the inspection
compliance times based on cabin
differential pressure. This proposed AD
also would include inspection at an
additional lap joint. This proposed AD
results from reports of fuselage skin
cracks found at certain countersunk
fastener locations in the upper row of
lap joints near the wing-to-body fairings,
and from a report that the presence of
alodine-coated rivets could cause faulty
results during the required inspections
using the optional sliding probe HFEC
inspection method specified in the
existing AD. We are proposing this AD
to prevent reduced structural integrity
of the fuselage.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by December 3, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:41 Oct 16, 2007
Jkt 214001
58777
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207.
Discussion
Examining the AD Docket
In 1985, Boeing started installing
aluminum rivets coated with alodine in
fuselage skins during production and
supplied them to operators in
modification kits. Alodine coating on
aluminum rivets increases the rivet/skin
electrical conductivity. Certain nondestructive inspection (NDI) methods
rely on disruptions in the
electromagnetic field around cracks in
metallic structures to detect cracking.
One such NDI method is the sliding
probe high frequency eddy current
(HFEC) inspection, which was an
optional inspection method specified by
AD 94–15–06. The effects of these
increases in rivet/skin electricity
conductivity could be strong enough to
mask a crack indication during the
required inspections using the optional
sliding probe HFEC inspection method
specified in AD 94–15–06.
Boeing has informed us that airplanes
with line numbers 630 through 814
inclusive could have alodine-coated
aluminum rivets installed in the
fastener holes that were required to be
inspected in accordance with AD 94–
15–06. The presence of these rivets
could cause faulty results when
performing the required inspections
using the optional sliding probe HFEC
skin inspection method. Consequently,
Boeing has issued Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747–53A2312, Revision 3,
dated February 8, 2007. (In AD 94–15–
06, we referred to Boeing Service
Bulletin 747–53A2312, Revision 2,
dated October 8, 1992, as the
appropriate source of service
information for doing the required
actions.) Revision 3 of the alert service
bulletin updates the sliding probe HFEC
skin inspection method, and includes a
one-time special HFEC or detailed
inspection of the affected fastener holes
for airplanes on which the modification
required by AD 94–15–06 has not been
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility 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 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: Ivan
Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 917–6437;
fax (425) 917–6590.
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–2007–0043; Directorate Identifier
2007–NM–058–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 because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
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.
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
On July 13, 1994, we issued AD 94–
15–06, amendment 39–8977 (59 FR
37659, July 25, 1994), for certain Boeing
Model 747 series airplanes. That AD
requires inspections to detect cracking
in certain lower lobe fuselage skin lap
joints; doing repetitive inspections for
cracking at certain fastener locations
having countersunk fasteners; and
replacing countersunk fasteners with
protruding head fasteners at certain
fastener locations. That AD resulted
from reports of cracking of the fuselage
skin in certain areas and findings of
additional countersunk fasteners. We
issued that AD to prevent reduced
structural integrity of the fuselage.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58774-58777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20462]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0044; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-126-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
An accumulator cylinder had material defects and suffered an in-
flight burst failure causing damage to the aircraft structure. * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 16,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
[[Page 58775]]
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 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-2007-0044;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-126-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 https://
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 2007-0076, dated March 21, 2007 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
An accumulator cylinder had material defects and suffered an in-
flight burst failure causing damage to the aircraft structure. This
resulted in the issue of EASA Emergency AD 2006-0061-E [we issued AD
2006-23-12 to address that EASA AD] that required the identification
and check of cylinders from known suspect batches. Further
investigations and checks by the accumulator manufacturer have
concluded that all cylinders from a particular supplier may not have
been correctly inspected at manufacture. To prevent the risk of
further failures, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires all
accumulators with cylinders from this supplier to be identified and
inspected prior to re-installation.
The corrective action includes replacing any accumulator found to
have a defect. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI
in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service
Bulletin ISB.29-047, dated October 3, 2006. 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.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it
would take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $320, or $320 per product.
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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 58776]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2007-0044; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-126-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 16, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes; and Model Avro 146-
RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any
category, all models, all serial numbers.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29:
Hydraulic power.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
An accumulator cylinder had material defects and suffered an in-
flight burst failure causing damage to the aircraft structure. This
resulted in the issue of EASA Emergency AD 2006-0061-E [we issued AD
2006-23-12 to address that EASA AD] that required the identification
and check of cylinders from known suspect batches. Further
investigations and checks by the accumulator manufacturer have
concluded that all cylinders from a particular supplier may not have
been correctly inspected at manufacture. To prevent the risk of
further failures, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires all
accumulators with cylinders from this supplier to be identified and
inspected prior to re-installation.
The corrective action includes replacing any accumulator found to
have a defect.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD,
identify the installed accumulator in accordance with paragraph 2.C.
of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin
ISB.29-047, dated October 3, 2006, which makes reference to APPH
Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July 2006.
(2) When an accumulator is identified as being affected by this
AD, before further flight after accomplishing the actions required
in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, remove the accumulator in accordance
with paragraph 2.D. of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection
Service Bulletin ISB.29-047, dated October 3, 2006, and do a
magnetic particle inspection of the cylinder for any defects in
accordance with APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated July
2006.
(3) If any defect is found during the inspection required in
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before next flight, replace the
accumulator with a serviceable unit in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03,
dated July 2006.
(4) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
spare accumulator identified by APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-
03, dated July 2006, as a replacement part, unless it has been
inspected in accordance with APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-02,
dated March 2006; or APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03, dated
July 2006 (see second Note in paragraph 1.D.(1) of BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.29-047, dated
October 3, 2006, for further explanation).
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
(1) Where the MCAI specifies to identify the installed
accumulator within 6 weeks after the effective date of the AD, we
have determined that the identification may be done within 30 months
after the effective date of this AD to coincide with the compliance
time for the magnetic particle inspection. In making this
determination, we considered the maximum interval of time allowable
for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety, fleet usage, and the availability of
replacement parts.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Todd
Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2007-0076, dated March 21, 2007, and the service
information listed in Table 1 of this AD for related information.
Table 1.--Service Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-02............ March 2006.
APPH Service Bulletin AIR91666-29-03............ July 2006.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection October 3, 2006.
Service Bulletin ISB.29-047.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 58777]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 9, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20462 Filed 10-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
