[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61916-61918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21437]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22791; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-083-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146-100A and -200A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A and -200A 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the nose 
landing gear (NLG) assembly to determine the part number of the NLG 
main fitting subassembly. For subject NLG main fitting subassemblies, 
this proposed AD would also require determining the total number of 
accumulated landings on a subject NLG main fitting subassembly, and 
eventually replacing the NLG assembly. This proposed AD results from a 
report indicating that the airplane maintenance manual contains 
incorrect safe-life limit information for certain NLG assemblies. We 
are proposing this AD to ensure that affected NLG fitting subassemblies 
are removed from service before they reach their approved safe-life 
limit. Operating with an NLG fitting subassembly that is beyond its 
approved safe-life limit could result in failure of the NLG and 
consequent loss of directional control on the ground and major 
structural damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 28, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for service information 
identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22791; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-083-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, notified us that an unsafe condition 
may exist on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A 
and -200A series airplanes. The CAA advises that Chapter 5 of the 
airplane maintenance manual (AMM) may contain incorrect safe-life limit 
information for certain nose landing gear (NLG) assemblies. Operating 
with an NLG fitting subassembly that is beyond its approved safe-life 
limit could lead to fatigue cracking of the main fitting of the NLG. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the NLG 
and consequent loss of directional control on the ground and major 
structural damage to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems has issued Service Bulletin ISB.32-169, dated October 
4, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the 
NLG assembly to determine the part number of the NLG main fitting 
subassembly. If a subassembly having a subject part number is 
installed, the service bulletin specifies determining the total 
accumulated landings on the subassembly (since it was new or 
overhauled); eventually replacing the NLG assembly with a new, 
serviceable, or overhauled NLG assembly; and returning the replaced NLG 
assembly to Messier-Dowty or an overhaul facility. (For the purposes of 
this proposed AD, a serviceable NLG is one on which the part number of 
the NLG main fitting subassembly has been identified and the number of 
landings has been determined if necessary.) Accomplishing the actions 
specified in

[[Page 61917]]

the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition. The CAA mandated the service information and issued British 
airworthiness directive G-2005-0001, dated January 12, 2005, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
    BAE Systems Service Bulletin ISB.32-169 refers to Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletin 146-32-155, dated July 16, 2004, as an additional 
source of service information for inspecting to determine the part 
number of the NLG main fitting subassembly, determining the number of 
accumulated landings on the NLG main fitting subassembly, and replacing 
the NLG assembly.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and 
are 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. We have examined the CAA's 
findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we 
need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in BAE Systems Service Bulletin 
ISB.32-169, described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 18 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $1,170, or $65 
per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2005-22791; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NM-083-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
28, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model BAe 146-100A and -200A series airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that the airplane 
maintenance manual contains incorrect safe-life limit information 
for certain nose landing gear (NLG) assemblies. We are issuing this 
AD to ensure that affected NLG fitting subassemblies are removed 
from service before they reach their approved safe-life limit. 
Operating with an NLG fitting subassembly that is beyond its 
approved safe-life limit could result in failure of the NLG and 
consequent loss of directional control on the ground and major 
structural damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin Reference

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems Service Bulletin ISB.32-
169, dated October 4, 2004.
    (1) The service bulletin refers to Messier-Dowty Service 
Bulletin 146-32-155, dated July 16, 2004, as an additional source of 
service information for inspecting to determine the part number of 
the NLG main fitting subassembly, determining the number of 
accumulated landings on the NLG main fitting subassembly, and 
replacing the NLG assembly.
    (2) Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer and to return replaced NLG 
assemblies to the manufacturer or other overhaul facility, this AD 
does not require that action.

Inspection To Determine Part Number

    (g) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Inspect 
the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly to determine the part number of 
the NLG main fitting subassembly, in accordance with the service 
bulletin. If the part number of the NLG main fitting subassembly is 
not listed in paragraph 1.A.(2) of the service bulletin: This 
paragraph requires no further action. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
part number of the NLG main fitting subassembly can be conclusively 
determined from that review.

Replacement of NLG

    (h) If the part number of the NLG main fitting subassembly is 
listed in paragraph 1.A.(2) of the service bulletin: Determine the 
total accumulated landings on the subassembly (since the subassembly 
was new or overhauled); and replace the NLG with a new, serviceable, 
or overhauled subassembly; in accordance with the service bulletin. 
(For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable NLG is one on which the 
NLG main fitting

[[Page 61918]]

subassembly has been identified, the number of landings has been 
determined, and the number of landings does not exceed the limits 
specified in this AD, as applicable.) Do the actions specified in 
this paragraph at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) 
or (h)(2) of this AD, or within 500 landings after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is later. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
total accumulated landings on the subassembly (since the subassembly 
was new or overhauled) can be conclusively determined from that 
review.
    (1) If the NLG has not been overhauled previously: Prior to the 
accumulation of 35,000 total landings on the NLG.
    (2) If the NLG has been overhauled previously: Within 8,000 
landings since the most recent overhaul.

Parts Installation

    (i) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an NLG that is equipped with a main fitting subassembly having a 
part number listed in paragraph 1.A.(2) of the service bulletin, 
unless all of the applicable actions in paragraphs (g) and (h) of 
this AD have been done.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (k) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0001, dated January 
12, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21437 Filed 10-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P