[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68074-68076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-113-AD; Amendment 39-11975; AD 2000-23-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 401/AK 
and 410/AQ Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 401/AK and 410/AQ 
airplanes, that requires replacement of certain landing gear brake 
accumulators with improved accumulators. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to prevent loss of hydraulic pressure and possible 
structural damage

[[Page 68075]]

to the airplane due to failure of the accumulator. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 19, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace, Service Support, Airbus Limited, P.O. 
Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, England. 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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-
11 401/AK and 410/AQ airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
September 19, 2000 (65 FR 56506). That action proposed to require 
replacement of certain landing gear brake accumulators with improved 
accumulators.

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 13 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$9,940 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $130,000, or $10,000 per airplane.
    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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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 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:

2000-23-05  British Aerospace Airbus Limited: (Formerly British 
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft 
Group): Amendment 39-11975. Docket 2000-NM-113-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAC 1-11 401/AK and 410/AQ 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 loss of hydraulic pressure and possible structural 
damage to the airplane due to failure of the landing gear brake 
accumulator, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace any Parker landing gear brake accumulator having part number 
(P/N) 1356-653562 with an accumulator having P/N 1356-653562M2, in 
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 32-PM6054, dated 
February 2000.

    Note 2: The British Aerospace service bulletin references Parker 
Service Bulletin 1356-653562-32-100, dated September 23, 1999, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
replacement.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no Parker landing gear 
brake accumulator having P/N 1356-653562 shall be installed on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 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 3: 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

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR

[[Page 68076]]

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 32-PM6054, dated February 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, Service Support, 
Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, England. 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 19, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28829 Filed 11-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P