[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 163 (Thursday, August 21, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49364-49366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19364]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0887; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-336-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAE 146 and Avro 146-RJ Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    During inspection of undercarriage main beam sidestays, bolts 
attaching the undercarriage main beam sidestay to frame 29 were 
found with the heads of the bolts sheared off. Loose bolt assemblies 
were also found.
    If sheared or loose bolts are not detected and replaced, a 
possible consequence is the collapse of the main landing gear.
* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 22, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0887; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-336-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0277, dated November 5, 2007 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During inspection of undercarriage main beam sidestays, bolts 
attaching the undercarriage main beam sidestay to frame 29 were 
found with the heads of the bolts sheared off. Loose bolt assemblies 
were also found.

[[Page 49365]]

    If sheared or loose bolts are not detected and replaced, a 
possible consequence is the collapse of the main landing gear.
    For the reasons described above, this Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) requires a one-time [rotating eddy current] inspection of the 
bolt bores and bore dimensions and the installation of replacement 
bolts, as necessary.

Corrective actions include contacting BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
for repair instructions and repair, if necessary. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.53-194, dated January 10, 2007. The actions described in 
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
would take about 24 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $1,000 per product. Where 
the service information lists required parts costs that are covered 
under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these 
costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, 
some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $2,920, or $2,920 per product.

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 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 this 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.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2008-0887; Directorate Identifier 
2007-NM-336-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by September 22, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series airplanes; and Model 
Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in 
any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: 
Fuselage.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    During inspection of undercarriage main beam sidestays, bolts 
attaching the undercarriage main beam sidestay to frame 29 were 
found with the heads of the bolts sheared off. Loose bolt assemblies 
were also found.
    If sheared or loose bolts are not detected and replaced, a 
possible consequence is the collapse of the main landing gear.
    For the reasons described above, this Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) requires a one-time [rotating eddy current] inspection of the 
bolt bores and bore dimensions and the installation of replacement 
bolts, as necessary.

Corrective actions include contacting BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited for repair instructions and repair, if necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 4,000 flight cycles or 5 years, whichever occurs 
first after the effective date of this AD, perform the inspections 
to detect defects (including sheared or loose bolts) and do the bolt 
replacements in accordance with

[[Page 49366]]

the instructions of paragraphs 2.C.(1) through 2.C.(3), and 
paragraphs 2.D.(1) through 2.D.(3), of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.53-194, dated January 10, 2007, except as required by 
paragraphs (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD.
    (2) If any defect is found during the inspection specified in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
affected bolts in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-
194, dated January 10, 2007, except as required by paragraph (f)(3) 
and (f)(4) of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes on which replacement parts are not available 
during the replacement specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, do 
the actions in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-194, dated 
January 10, 2007.
    (i) Before further flight, temporarily reinstall removed 
oversized bolts, provided the bolts are serviceable.
    (ii) Within 2,000 flight cycles after doing the inspection 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, replace all temporary 
oversized bolts that were installed in accordance with paragraph 
(f)(3)(i) of this AD.
    (4) Where BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service 
Bulletin ISB.53-194, dated January 10, 2007, specifies to contact 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited if any defect is found in the 
second oversize fastener bore, before further flight, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited for repair instructions and do the 
repair.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send information to ATTN: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2007-0277, dated November 5, 2007, and BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-194, dated 
January 10, 2007, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19364 Filed 8-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P