[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69430-69432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22592]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22427; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-263-AD; 
Amendment 39-14373; AD 2005-23-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 
and 400 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes. This AD 
requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to contain 
applicable AFM amendments, which advise the flightcrew of information 
pertaining to safely operating the fuel system. The AD also requires 
revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include certain 
repetitive maintenance tasks intended to improve the safety of the fuel 
system. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent potential ignition 
sources inside the fuel system, which, in combination with flammable 
fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 
of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 21, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 21, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact British Aerospace, Service Support, Airbus Limited, P.O. 
Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, England, for service information identified 
in this AD.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all British Aerospace 
Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on September 16, 2005 (70 FR 54671). That NPRM 
proposed to require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to 
contain applicable AFM amendments, which advise the flightcrew of 
information pertaining to safely operating the fuel system. The NPRM 
also proposed to require revising the FAA-approved maintenance program 
to include certain repetitive maintenance tasks intended to improve the 
safety of the fuel system.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air

[[Page 69431]]

safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change 
described previously. We have determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number of
                                                                Average      Cost per      U.S.-
                     Action                       Work hours   labor rate    airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                                                per hour                 airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM Revision...................................            1          $65          $65           11         $715
Maintenance Program Revision...................            1           65           65           11          715
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-23-15 British Aerospace Airbus Limited: Amendment 39-14373. 
Docket No. FAA-2005-22427; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-263-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 
and 400 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew 
and maintenance personnel are advised of procedures pertaining to 
the safety of the fuel system. These procedures are needed to 
prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which, in 
combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank 
explosion and consequent loss of 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.

Airplane Flight Manual and Maintenance Program Revisions

    (f) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD to 
improve the safety of the fuel system, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus UK BAC One-Eleven Alert 
Service Bulletin 28-A-PM6057, Issue 1, dated May 10, 2004.
    (1) Revise the airplane flight manual to include the applicable 
amendments advising the flightcrew of appropriate procedures to 
check for proper operation of the fuel system, and to address 
tripped circuit breakers, failure of a fuel pump in flight, and 
operations in a low-fuel situation, as specified in Table 2 (under 
Section 4.11) of the service bulletin.

    Note 1: The actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may 
be done by inserting a copy of the applicable advance amendment 
bulletins (AABs) specified in Table 2 of Airbus UK BAC One-Eleven 
Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-PM6057, Issue 1, dated May 10, 2004, 
into the AFM. When information identical to that in the applicable 
AABs has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the AABs 
no longer need to be inserted into the AFM.
    (2) Revise the FAA-approved maintenance program to include all 
repetitive maintenance tasks specified in Table 1 (under Section 
4.10.2.) of the service bulletin. Then, thereafter, comply with the 
requirements of these maintenance tasks at the interval specified in 
Table 1 of the service bulletin; except for airplanes that operate 
fewer than a total of 1,250 flight hours per year, accomplish the 
requirements of these maintenance tasks at the earlier of the times 
specified in columns 2 and 3 of Table 1 of the service bulletin. 
Where Table 1 of the service bulletin specifies a repetitive 
interval in ``hours,'' for the purposes of this AD, this means 
``flight hours.'' Any applicable corrective actions must be done 
before further flight.


    Note 2: After revising the maintenance program to include the 
required periodic maintenance tasks according to paragraph (f)(2) of 
this AD, operators do not need to make a maintenance log entry to 
show compliance with this AD every time those maintenance tasks are 
accomplished thereafter.


[[Page 69432]]



Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(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 Sec.  
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

    (h) British airworthiness directive G-2004-0012, dated June 21, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus UK BAC One-Eleven Alert Service Bulletin 
28-A-PM6057, Issue 1, dated May 10, 2004, to perform the actions 
that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace, Service Support, Airbus 
Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, England, for a copy of this 
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 7, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-22592 Filed 11-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P