[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37025-37026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14435]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-230-AD; Amendment 39-11773; AD 2000-11-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace BAe Model ATP 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes, that 
requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the downlock 
support assembly and attachment of the nose landing gear (NLG), and of 
the bulkhead and adjacent structure in the NLG bay; and corrective 
action, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to detect and correct damage of the NLG downlock support, which could 
result in collapse of the NLG and consequent injury to passengers or 
flightcrew.

DATES: Effective July 18, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe 
Model ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 
2000 (65 FR 18260). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections to detect discrepancies of the downlock support assembly 
and attachment of the nose landing gear (NLG), and of the bulkhead and 
adjacent structure in the NLG bay; and corrective action, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,400, or $240 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under

[[Page 37026]]

Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared 
for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 
may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under 
the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-11-24  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-11773. Docket 99-NM-230-AD.

    Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, constructor's numbers 
2002 through 2063 inclusive, 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 (b) 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 detect and correct damage of the nose landing gear (NLG) 
downlock support, which could result in collapse of the NLG, and 
consequent injury to passengers or flightcrew, accomplish the 
following:

Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Action

    (a) Within 6 months or 750 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a general visual 
inspection to detect discrepancies (e.g., damage, or loose nuts or 
bolts) of the NLG downlock support assembly, bulkhead, attachment 
locations, and adjacent structure in the NLG bay; in accordance with 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-53-36, Revision 1, dated 
February 21, 2000. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals 
not to exceed 2 years or 3,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs 
first.
    (1) If any damage is found during any inspection in accordance 
with paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If any loose nut or bolt is found during any inspection in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
torque the affected nut or bolt to the limits specified in the 
service bulletin, in accordance with the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''


    Note 3: Inspections and corrective actions accomplished prior to 
the effective date of this AD in accordance with British Aerospace 
Service Bulletin ATP-53-36, dated June 9, 1999, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions specified in 
this amendment.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-53-36, Revision 1, dated February 21, 
2000. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 006-06-99.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14435 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P