[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8157-8159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4200]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-48-AD; Amendment 39-9942; AD 97-04-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146 Series 
Airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.


[[Page 8158]]


ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 series airplanes 
and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires inspections to 
detect leakage of hydraulic fluid from the lock jack assemblies of the 
main landing gear (MLG), and eventual replacement of those assemblies 
with new or serviceable assemblies. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of leakage of hydraulic fluid from lock jack assemblies due to 
a manufacturing forging defect that extends through the wall of the 
lock jack assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid from the lock jack assemblies of the 
MLG, which, in conjunction with a hot brake, could cause a fire in the 
MLG bay.

DATES: Effective March 31, 1997.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Holding, Inc., Avro International 
Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles International Airport, 
Washington, DC 20041-6039. 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 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 Model 
BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on August 27, 1996 (61 FR 44006). 
That action proposed to require an inspection to identify affected lock 
jack assemblies by serial number. That action also proposed to require 
repetitive inspections of certain lock jack assemblies to detect 
leakage of hydraulic fluid from the lock jack assemblies, and, if 
leakage is detected, replacement of the lock jack assemblies with new 
or serviceable assemblies. That action also proposed to require 
eventual replacement of the lock jack assemblies with new or 
serviceable assemblies.
    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 52 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    To accomplish the required inspections will take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane, per inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required 
inspections on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,120, or $60 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.
    To accomplish the required replacement of the lock jack assembly 
will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $3,120, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action: (1) Is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 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:
97-04-17  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, AVRO 
International Aerospace Division (formerly British Aerospace, plc; 
British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9942. 
Docket 96-NM-48-AD.
    Applicability: Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 
146-RJ series airplanes having lock jack assemblies of the main 
landing gear as listed in British Aerospace Inspection Service 
Bulletin SB 32-103, Revision 1, dated February 22, 1991; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (d) 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 leakage of hydraulic fluid from the lock jack 
assemblies of the main landing gear (MLG), which, in conjunction 
with a hot brake, could cause a fire in the MLG bay; accomplish the 
following:

[[Page 8159]]

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, verify 
the serial number of all lock jack assemblies, part number 
104275001, of the MLG.

    Note 2: Verification may be accomplished by a review of 
appropriate records.

    (1) If no lock jack assembly has a serial number as listed in 
British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin SB 32-103, Revision 1, 
dated February 22, 1991, no further action is required by this 
paragraph.
    (2) If any lock jack assembly has a serial number as listed in 
British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin SB 32-103, Revision 1, 
dated February 22, 1991, prior to further flight, perform a visual 
inspection to detect any leakage of hydraulic fluid from the lock 
jack assembly, in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If no leakage of hydraulic fluid is detected, thereafter, 
repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 30 days, until the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD are accomplished.
    (ii) If any leakage of hydraulic fluid is detected, prior to 
further flight, replace the lock jack assembly with a new or 
serviceable unit that does not have one of those serial numbers, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
any lock jack assembly having a serial number listed in British 
Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin SB 32-103, Revision 1, dated 
February 22, 1991, with a new or serviceable assembly that does not 
have one of those serial numbers, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a lock jack assembly, having any serial number listed in British 
Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin SB 32-103, Revision 1, dated 
February 22, 1991, on any airplane.
    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The inspections and replacements shall be done in accordance 
with British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin SB 32-103, 
Revision 1, dated February 22, 1991, which contains the specified 
list of effectives pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision level                      
            Page No.                shown on page     Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, Appendix A1, Page 1-3.....  1                  Feb. 22, 1991.     
3, Appendix A1, Page 4..........  Original           June 15, 1990.     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 Holding, 
Inc., Avro International Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles 
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6039. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 31, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 13, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4200 Filed 2-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U