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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43936-43938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17933]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2957; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-089-AD; 
Amendment 39-18218; AD 2015-15-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. This AD requires a 
one-time inspection for damage of the stop arms of the stop plates, an 
adjustment of the electric trim limit switches, and replacement of the 
stop plates with newly manufactured stop plates if necessary. This AD 
was prompted by a report that the pitch trim jammed in the fully down 
position. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct broken stop arms 
of the stop plates, which could lead to the pitch trim jamming, loss of 
control of the elevator trim, and possible reduced control of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 10, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 10, 
2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD September 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://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, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
telephone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-18218.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
18218; 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 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-227-1175; 
fax: 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 43937]]

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2015-0099, dated June 3, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An in-service event was reported of the Pitch Trim jammed in the 
fully down position. During the event, the trim circuit was adjusted 
fully nose down and the swaged stop on the trim cable passed beyond 
the stop plates. With gear down and the autopilot disconnected, the 
aeroplane pitched nose down and, even with the control column pulled 
fully back, the pilot was unable to prevent descent. The trim 
circuit was freed and control restored by the combined efforts of 
both pilots turning the trim handwheels, which forced the swaged 
stop on the trim cable back past the broken stop plates. The results 
of the technical investigation revealed that the pitch trim servo 
motor travel stops were incorrectly adjusted, allowing the servo 
motor to force contact of the swaged stop on the trim cable with the 
stop plates, and parts of the stop plates breaking off.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
loss of control of the elevator trim, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd 
issued Inspection Service Bulletin (ISB) 27-068 to provide 
instructions to inspect and correct pitch trim servo motor travel 
stop adjustment and to install new stop plates made of improved 
(more robust) material.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [detailed] inspection [for damage of the stop arms of the stop 
plates, an adjustment of the electric trim limit switches] to 
correct adjustment of the pitch trim servo motor travel stops to 
prevent the jam condition and, if damage [including broken stop arms 
of the stop plates] is found, replacement of the stop arms and 
plates.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-18218.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service 
Bulletin J41-27-068, dated January 21, 2014. The service information 
describes procedures for a one-time inspection for damage of the stop 
arms of the stop plates, an adjustment of the electric trim limit 
switches, and replacement of the stop plates with newly manufactured 
stop plates if necessary. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a 
pitch trim that has jammed in the fully down position could lead to 
loss of control of the elevator trim, and possible reduced control of 
the airplane. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-18218; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NM-089-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 15 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $1,275, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $156, for a cost of 
$241 per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these actions.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

[[Page 43938]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-15-09 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-18218. 
Docket No. FAA-2015-2957; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-089-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 10, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the pitch trim jammed in 
the fully down position due to incorrectly adjusted travel stops of 
the pitch trim servo motor, causing parts of the stop plates to 
break off and allowing the servo motor to force contact of the 
swaged stop on the trim cable with the stop plates. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct broken stop arms of the stop plates, 
which could lead to the pitch trim jamming, loss of control of the 
elevator trim, and possible reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) One-Time Inspection

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Do a one-
time detailed inspection for damage of the stop arms of the stop 
plates, and an adjustment of the electric trim limit switches, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin J41-27-068, dated 
January 21, 2014. If any damage is found, before further flight, 
replace the stop plate with a newly manufactured stop plate made of 
tufnol, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin J41-27-068, 
dated January 21, 2014.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Todd 
Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-227-1175; fax: 425-227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA AD 2015-0099, dated June 3, 2015, for related information. You 
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-2957.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin 
J41-27-068, dated January 21, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; telephone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 15, 2015.
Suzanne Masterson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-17933 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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