[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10962-10963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3850]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-253-AD; Amendment 39-12119; AD 2001-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ 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 BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and 
Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires repetitive non-
destructive testing inspections to detect cracking at the fuselage end 
of the inner sidestays of the main landing gear (MLG) by the anti-
rotation pin, and replacement of the sidestay with a new sidestay, if 
necessary. This amendment is necessary to detect and correct fatigue 
cracking of the inner sidestays of the MLG, which could result in 
failure of the MLG. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 28, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

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 BAe 
146 and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on October 30, 2000 (65 FR 64632). That action proposed to 
require repetitive non-destructive testing inspections to detect 
cracking at the fuselage end of the inner sidestays of the main landing 
gear by the anti-rotation pin, and replacement of the sidestay with a 
new sidestay, if necessary.

Manufacturer Name Change

    Since the issuance of the proposed AD, the manufacturer has 
notified the FAA that it has changed its name from British Aerospace to 
BAe Systems (Operations) Limited. The final rule has been changed to 
reflect the recent company name change.

Conclusion

    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 described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 60 Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ 
series airplanes, of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. It will 
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $3,600, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The 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 cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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.

[[Page 10963]]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2001-04-01  BAe Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12119. Docket 2000-NM-
253-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A series 
airplanes, and all Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A 
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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct fatigue cracking of the inner sidestays of 
the main landing gear (MLG), which could result in failure of the 
MLG, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles on 
the MLG sidestays, or within 500 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a non-destructive 
testing (NDT) inspection to detect cracking at the fuselage end of 
the inner sidestays of the MLG by the anti-rotation pin, in 
accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 146-32-148, including 
Appendix A, dated April 17, 2000. Repeat the inspection thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles.

Replacement

    (b) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the 
sidestay with a new sidestay in accordance with BAE Systems Service 
Bulletin SB.32-157, dated June 2, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletin 146-32-148, including Appendix A, dated April 17, 
2000; and BAE Systems Service Bulletin SB.32-157, dated June 2, 
2000; as applicable. 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 Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 001-06-2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 28, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 9, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3850 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P