20766 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2001 / Proposed Rules

2000. The detailed visual inspection is

contained in Part 1 of the service bulletin.

Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals

not to exceed 6 months.

(1) If no corrosion or cracking is found

during any inspection per paragraph (c) of

this AD, before further flight, apply corrosion

preventative compound, per the service

bulletin. Repeat the application of corrosion

preventative compound after each inspection

per paragraph (c) of this AD.

(2) If any corrosion or cracking is found

during any inspection per paragraph (c) of

this AD, before further flight, repair per a

method approved by the Manager, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or

per data meeting the type certification basis

of the airplane approved by a Boeing

Company Designated Engineering

Representative (DER) who has been

authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to

make such findings. For a repair method to

be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, as

required by this paragraph, the approval

letter must specifically reference this AD.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a

detailed visual inspection is defined as: ‘‘An

intensive visual examination of a specific

structural area, system, installation, or

assembly to detect damage, failure, or

irregularity. Available lighting is normally

supplemented with a direct source of good

lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by

the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,

magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface

cleaning and elaborate access procedures

may be required.’’

Overhaul (All Airplanes)

(d) At the applicable compliance time

stated in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this AD,

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10

years, overhaul the wing landing gear per

Flag Note 2 of Figure 1 of Boeing Alert

Service Bulletin 747–32A2465, Revision 1,

dated July 20, 2000. If any cracking or

corrosion outside the overhaul limits is

found during this overhaul, before further

flight, repair per a method approved by the

Manager, Seattle ACO; or per data meeting

the type certification basis of the airplane

approved by a Boeing Company DER who has

been authorized by the Manager, Seattle

ACO, to make such findings. For a repair

method to be approved by the Manager,

Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph,

the approval letter must specifically

reference this AD. For affected airplanes,

doing this overhaul ends the repetitive

inspections required by paragraph (a) of this

AD.

(1) For Group 1 airplanes listed in Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin 747–32A2465,

Revision 1, on which the wing landing gear

has NOT been modified per Flag Note 1 of

Figure 1 of the service bulletin: Overhaul the

wing landing gear within 48 months after the

effective date of this AD.

(2) For Group 1 airplanes listed in Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin 747–32A2465,

Revision 1, on which the wing landing gear

HAS been modified per Flag Note 1 of Figure

1 of the service bulletin; OR for Groups 2 and

3 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 747–32A2465, Revision 1: Overhaul

the wing landing gear within 10 years since

delivery of the airplane or last overhaul, or

within 180 days after the effective date of this

AD, whichever comes later.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(e)(1) 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, Seattle

ACO. Operators shall submit their requests

through an appropriate FAA Principal

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Seattle ACO.

(2) Alternative methods of compliance,

approved previously in accordance with AD

90–06–18 R1, amendment 39–6706, are

approved as alternative methods of

compliance for paragraphs (a) and (b) of this

AD.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(f) 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18,

2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–10180 Filed 4–24–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–371–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BAE

Systems (Operations) Limited Model

Avro 146–RJ Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain BAE Systems (Operations)

Limited Model Avro 146–RJ series

airplanes. This proposal would require

inspection to detect incorrect wiring of

the fire extinguisher bottles located on

the engines and on the auxiliary power

unit (APU), and corrective action, as

necessary. It would also require

modification of the wiring of the fire

extinguisher bottles located on the

engines and on the APU. This action is

prompted by reports of incorrect wiring

of the fire extinguisher bottles on the

engines and the APU discovered during

routine maintenance. This action is

necessary to prevent the failure of the

fire extinguisher bottles to discharge,

which could result in the inability to

extinguish a fire in the engines or in the

APU.

DATES: Comments must be received by

May 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

371–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9-

anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–371–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft

American Support, 13850 Mclearen

Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,

ANM–116, International Branch, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1175;

fax (425) 227–1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall

identify the Rules Docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained

in this action may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2001 / Proposed Rules 20767

Submit comments using the following

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue.

For example, discuss a request to

change the compliance time and a

request to change the service bulletin

reference as two separate issues.

• For each issue, state what specific

change to the proposed AD is being

requested.

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or

data) for each request.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this action

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 2000–NM–371–AD.’’

The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket

Number 2000–NM–371–AD, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056.

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),

which is the airworthiness authority for

the United Kingdom, notified the FAA

that an unsafe condition may exist on

certain BAE Systems (Operations)

Limited Model Avro 146-RJ series

airplanes. The CAA advises that two

incidents of incorrect wiring of the fire

extinguisher bottles located on the

engines and on the auxiliary power unit

(APU) were found during routine

maintenance. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in the failure of

the fire extinguisher bottles to

discharge, which could result in the

inability to extinguish a fire in the

engines or in the APU.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited

has issued Inspection Service Bulletin

ISB.26–60, Revision 2, dated January 18,

2001, which describes procedures for a

one-time inspection consisting of a

‘‘continuity check’’ to detect incorrect

wiring of the fire extinguisher bottles

located on the engines and on the APU.

The service bulletin also describes

procedures for disconnection of

incorrect wiring which is detected and

reconnection to the correct terminals.

The CAA classified this service bulletin

as mandatory and issued British

airworthiness directive 002–09–2000, in

order to assure the continued

airworthiness of these airplanes in the

United Kingdom.

In addition, BAE Systems

(Operations) Limited has issued

Modification Service Bulletins SB.26–

060–01688A, dated January 18, 2001,

which describes procedures for

modification of the wiring of the fire

extinguisher bottles located on the

engines, and SB.26–061–36220A, dated

January 18, 2001, which describes

procedures for modification of the

wiring of the fire extinguisher bottle

located on the APU. The modification

described in each service bulletin

involves installation of new

identification sleeves and earth

connection adapters on the fire

extinguisher bottles. Accomplishment of

the actions specified in the service

bulletins is intended to adequately

address the identified unsafe condition.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in the United Kingdom and is type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of section

21.29 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness

agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, the CAA has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the CAA,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, the proposed AD would require

accomplishment of the actions specified

in the service bulletins described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 1 work hour per airplane

to accomplish the proposed inspection,

and that the average labor rate is $60 per

work hour. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of the proposed inspection

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$2,640, or $60 per airplane.

It is estimated that it would take

approximately 4 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the proposed

modification of the wiring of the fire

extinguisher bottles on the engines, and

that the average labor rate is $60 per

work hour. According to the applicable

service bulletin, the cost of required

parts is to be arranged between BAE

Systems and the operator. Based on

these figures, the cost impact of the

proposed modification on U.S. operators

is estimated to be $10,560, or $240 per

airplane, not including any costs to the

operator for required parts.

It is estimated that it would take

approximately 1 work hour per airplane

to accomplish the proposed

modification of the wiring of the fire

extinguisher bottles on the APU, and

that the average labor rate is $60 per

work hour. According to the applicable

service bulletin, the cost of required

parts is to be arranged between BAE

Systems and the operator. Based on

these figures, the cost impact of the

proposed modification on U.S. operators

is estimated to be $2,640, or $60 per

airplane, not including any costs to the

operator for required parts.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the proposed requirements of this AD

action, and that no operator would

accomplish those actions in the future if

this proposed 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 proposed herein

would 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 proposal

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this proposed regulation (1)

is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’

under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not

a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT

20768 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2001 / Proposed Rules

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if

promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action is contained in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it may be obtained by

contacting the Rules Docket at the

location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited

(Formerly British Aerospace Regional

Aircraft): Docket 2000–NM–371–AD.

Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ series

airplanes, certificated in any category, with

modifications HCM01582A, HCM01582B,

HCM36192A, or HCM36192B embodied.

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 the failure of the fire

extinguisher bottles on the engines or on the

auxiliary power unit (APU) to discharge,

which could result in the inability to

extinguish a fire in the engines or in the

APU, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within 90 days after the effective date

of this AD: Perform a one-time inspection

consisting of a ‘‘continuity check’’ to detect

incorrect wiring on the fire extinguisher

bottles located on the engines and on the

APU, in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions of BAE

Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection

Service Bulletin ISB.26–60, dated September

4, 2000, or Revision 1, dated October 10,

2000. If incorrect wiring is detected, prior to

further flight, correct the wiring in

accordance with the service bulletin.

Repeat Inspection

(b) Following any maintenance work,

including a complete engine change, that

affects the wiring of the fire extinguisher

bottles located on the engines or on the APU

and prior to further flight thereafter: Perform

the inspection required by paragraph (a) of

this AD. If incorrect wiring is detected, prior

to further flight, correct the wiring in

accordance with BAE Systems (Operations)

Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.26–

061–36220A or SB.26–060–01688A, both

dated January 18, 2001, as applicable.

Modification

(c) Within one year after the effective date

of this AD: Modify the wiring of the fire

extinguisher bottles located on the engines,

in accordance with the Accomplishment

Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations)

Limited Modification Service Bulletin SB.26–

060–01688A, dated January 18, 2001, and

modify the wiring of the fire extinguisher

bottle located on the APU, in accordance

with the Accomplishment Instructions of

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited

Modification Service Bulletin SB.26–061–

36220A, dated January 18, 2001.

Accomplishment of these actions constitutes

terminating action for the requirements of

this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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,

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport

Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Special Flight Permits

(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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in British airworthiness directive 002–09–

2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18,

2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–10179 Filed 4–24–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–08–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale

Model ATR42–200, –300, and –320

Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42–200,

–300, and –320 series airplanes. This

proposal would require modifying the

wiring of the starting rotary switch. This

action is necessary to prevent the loss of

electrical power supply of the DC

emergency and standby buses, which

could result in the loss of some

electrical loads and the consequent

display of erroneous information to the

flight crew. This action is intended to

address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by

May 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

08–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9-

anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–08–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne,