[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17991-17992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8172]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-165-AD; Amendment 39-9188; AD 95-07-06]


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11-200 
and -400 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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11-200 and -400 series 
airplanes, that requires inspections of the bearings of the aileron 
control system, and correction of discrepancies. This amendment is 
prompted by a report indicating that an operator experienced 
difficulties wherein considerable pressure was required to manually 
input roll control due to seized bearings in the aileron control 
system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such 
seizure of bearings, which could reduce the pilot's ability to initiate 
roll control during critical phases of flight.

DATES: Effective May 10, 1995.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 10, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace, Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol 
BS99 7AR, England. 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 all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-
11-200 and -400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on December 15, 1994 (59 FR 64631). That action proposed to require 
repetitive detailed visual and physical inspections of the bearings of 
the aileron control system, and correction of discrepancies.
    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 long-standing 
requirement.
    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 previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 31 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this [[Page 17992]] AD, that it will take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane, per inspection to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,860, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.
    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.


39.13  [Amended]

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

95-07-06  British Aerospace Airbus Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft 
Group): Amendment 39-9188. Docket 94-NM-165-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAC 1-11-200 and -400 series airplanes, 
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 ensure the pilot's ability to initiate roll control during 
critical phases of the flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 5 years from the date of installation of the aileron 
control bearings or within 6 months after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual and physical 
inspection to detect missing or damaged sealing rings, corrosion, or 
restricted movement of the bearings of the aileron control system, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-PM6023, Issue No. 2, dated 
November 23, 1992.
    (1) If no discrepancies are found, repeat the inspection 
requirements thereafter at intervals not to exceed 14 months.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
replace the bearing with a new bearing in accordance with the 
service bulletin. Repeat the inspection required by this paragraph 
within 5 years after replacement of the bearings, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 14 months.
    (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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-113. 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 inspections and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-PM6023, Issue No. 
2, dated November 23, 1992. 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, Airbus Limited, P.O. Box 77, Bristol BS99 7AR, 
England. 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 May 10, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 29, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-8172 Filed 4-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U