[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12407-12408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4255]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-132-AD; Amendment 39-9156; AD 95-04-04]


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ70A 
and -RJ85A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain British Aerospace Model Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A 
series airplanes, that requires an inspection to identify and remove 
certain cable terminals on the auxiliary power unit (APU) starter 
circuit and installation of certain new cable terminals. This amendment 
is prompted by a report that, during an inspection of the cable 
terminals on the APU starter circuit, incorrect cable terminals were 
found installed on these airplanes. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to ensure the installation of correct starter cable 
terminals in the APU; incorrect cables could lead to the inability of 
the pilot to start the APU when needed in a situation of loss of other 
electrical power sources.

DATES: Effective April 6, 1995. -
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Holdings, Inc., Avro International 
Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles International Airport, 
Washington DC 20041-6039. 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: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.

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 
Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on November 7, 1994 (59 FR 55383). That action proposed to 
require a detailed visual inspection to identify the cable terminals 
fitted to cables KA47 and KA48 on the APU starter circuit at terminal 
block KA9, removal of certain cable terminals, and installation of 
certain new cable terminals. -
    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. -
    The commenter supports the proposed rule. -
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been added to this final rule to clarify this requirement. -
    The FAA has recently reviewed the figures it has used over the past 
several years in calculating the economic impact of AD activity. In 
order to account for various inflationary costs in the airline 
industry, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to increase the 
labor rate used in these calculations from $55 per work hour to $60 per 
work hour. The economic impact information, below, has been revised to 
reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor rate. -
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD. - [[Page 12408]] 
    The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1.5 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $250 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,020, or $340 per airplane. -
    The total 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. -
    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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-04-04  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro 
International Aerospace Division (Formerly British Aerospace, PLC; 
British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9156. 
Docket 94-NM-132-AD.

    Applicability: Model Avro 146-RJ70A and -RJ85A airplanes, as 
listed in Avro International Aerospace Service Bulletin 49-40, 
Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994; 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of electrical power to the auxiliary power unit 
(APU), accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection to identify the cable terminals fitted 
to cables KA47 and KA48 in the APU starter circuit at terminal block 
KA9, in accordance with Avro International Aerospace Service 
Bulletin S.B. 49-40, Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994. If the cable 
terminals are identified as part number (P/N) S1007-042, prior to 
further flight, remove the cable terminals and install new cable 
terminals having P/N S1006-040, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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 inspection, removal, and installation shall be done in 
accordance with Avro International Aerospace Service Bulletin S.B. 
49-40, Revision 1, dated March 17, 1994, which contains the 
following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Revision                        
              Page No.                level shown    Date shown on page 
                                        on page-                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-.................................  1-...........  Mar. 17, 1994.      
2-4-...............................  Original.....  Feb. 16, 1994.      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 British Aerospace Holdings, Inc., 
Avro International Aerospace Division, P.O. Box 16039, Dulles 
International Airport, Washington DC 20041-6039. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4255 Filed 3-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U