[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38079-38080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18651]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-87-AD; Amendment 39-10656; AD 98-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A 
Series 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 Model BAe 146-200A series 
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of the gust damper of 
the elevator control system to determine if the gust damper is properly 
charged, and of the horizontal stabilizer to detect cracking of 
elevator hinge rib 1; and corrective action, if necessary. This 
amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct 
cracking of elevator hinge rib 1 of the horizontal stabilizer, which 
could occur if the gust damper of the elevator control system 
discharges and allows the elevator to move freely in ground gust 
conditions. Such cracking could result in damage to the structural 
attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabilizer, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 19, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 19, 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 Model 
BAe 146-200A series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
April 16, 1998 (63 FR 18852). That action proposed to require a one-
time inspection of the gust damper of the elevator control system to 
determine if the gust damper is properly charged, and of the horizontal 
stabilizer to detect cracking of elevator hinge rib 1; and corrective 
action, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request To Revise Cost Information

    One commenter, the manufacturer, advises that the cost information 
provided in the proposed AD contains an error. The commenter states 
that the number of BAe 146-200A series airplanes of U.S. registry that 
would be affected by the AD is 5, rather than 19, as stated in the 
proposed AD. The FAA concurs with the commenter. The cost impact 
information, below, has been revised to reflect the correct number of 
affected airplanes on the U.S. register.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 5 British Aerospace Model BAe 146-200A 
series

[[Page 38080]]

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 
inspections, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the inspections required by this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $300, or $60 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.

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:

198-15-05  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Aerospace 
Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial 
Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-10656. Docket 98-NM-87-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 146-200A series airplanes, as listed in 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.55-16, dated July 14, 1997; 
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 cracking of elevator hinge rib 1 of the 
horizontal stabilizer, which could result in damage to the 
structural attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabilizer 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane; accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.55-16, dated July 14, 
1997.
    (1) Perform a visual inspection of the gust damper of the 
elevator control system to determine if the gust damper is properly 
charged. If any gust damper is found to be improperly charged, prior 
to further flight, recharge the gust damper in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (2) Perform a detailed visual inspection, using a borescope, to 
detect cracking of elevator hinge rib 1, on the left and right side 
of the airplane, in accordance with the service bulletin. If any 
cracking is found, prior to further flight, replace any cracked 
hinge rib 1 with a new or serviceable part, in accordance with a 
method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or procedures provided by 
the manufacturer that are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.
    (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 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.

    (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.
    (d) The inspections and recharge shall be done in accordance 
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.55-16, dated July 14, 
1997. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 010-07-97, dated March 2, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 19, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18651 Filed 7-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P