[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35793-35794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17417]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-113-AD; Amendment 39-10640; AD 98-14-06]
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. This 
amendment requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the 
spring strut assembly of the forward door of the main landing gear 
(MLG), and replacement of the existing spring strut assembly with a new 
or serviceable part, if necessary. This amendment also requires 
eventual replacement of the existing spring strut assembly with an 
improved part, which, when accomplished, terminates the repetitive 
inspections. 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 prevent 
failure of the spring strut assembly of the forward door of the MLG, 
which, if not corrected, could result in inability to extend the MLG.

DATES: Effective August 5, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 5, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 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 May 1, 
1998 (63 FR 24136). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections for discrepancies of the spring strut assembly of the 
forward door of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the 
existing spring strut assembly with a new or serviceable part, if 
necessary. That action also proposed to require eventual replacement of 
the existing spring strut assembly with an improved part, which, when 
accomplished, would terminate the repetitive inspections.

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.
    It will take approximately 4 work hours (2 work hours per MLG) to 
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the inspection 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,400, or 
$240 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 12 work hours (6 work hours per MLG) to 
accomplish the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,200 per 
airplane ($1,100 per MLG). Based on this figure, the cost impact of the 
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$29,200, or $2,920 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

[[Page 35794]]

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:

98-14-06 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-10640. Docket 98-NM-113-AD.

    Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes, as listed in British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-32-85, Revision 1, dated March 
20, 1998; 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 failure of the spring strut assembly of the forward 
door of the main landing gear (MLG), which could result in the 
inability to extend the MLG, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a visual inspection for discrepancies of the fork end of the 
spring strut assembly of the forward door of the MLG, on the left 
and right sides of the airplane; in accordance with British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-32-85, Revision 1, dated March 
20, 1998.
    (1) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the visual inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours until the 
actions specified by paragraph (b) of this AD are accomplished.
    (2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
replace the existing spring strut assembly with a new or serviceable 
part, in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Repeat the 
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight 
hours until the actions specified by paragraph (b) of this AD are 
accomplished.
    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the spring strut assembly of the forward door of the MLG 
with an improved spring strut assembly, on the left and right sides 
of the airplane; in accordance with British Aerospace Service 
Bulletin ATP-32-87, dated January 29, 1998. This replacement 
constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    (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 request 
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-87, dated January 29, 1998. The 
inspection shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Alert 
Service Bulletin ATP-32-85, Revision 1, dated March 20, 1998, which 
contains the following effective pages:

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                                      Revision level     Date shown on  
      Page No. shown on page          shown on page           page      
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1-3, 6, 7, 10.....................  1................  March 20, 1998.  
4, 5, 8, 9, 11....................  Original.........  January 26, 1998.
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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 AI(R) American Support, Inc., 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 5, 1998.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 24, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17417 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U