AD 2001-15-23

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, that requires identifying the discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, and replacing them with new parts if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the installation of incorrect pressurization discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which could subject the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the airframe fatigue life. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2001-15-23 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-12358. Docket 2001-NM-06-AD.

Applicability: Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes, certificated in any category, as listed in BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001.

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 conditionhas not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent the installation of incorrect pressurization discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, which could subject the airframe to excess stress and adversely affect the airframe fatigue life, accomplish the following:

Parts Identification

(a) As specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as applicable, of this AD: Identify the part numbers of the pressurization discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers to determine if any installed part is incorrect, as defined by and in accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001.

(1) For airplanes post-Modification HCM50258A: Identify the part numbers within 30 days after the effective date of this AD; and, if any part is incorrect, limit the airplane ceiling to 31,000 feet until the incorrect part is replaced, as specified by paragraph (b) of this AD.

(2) For airplanes pre-Modification HCM50258A: Identify the part numbers within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.

Corrective Action

(b) For any incorrect part identified in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 500 flight cycles thereafter, replace it with a new, correct part, in accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001. Prior to further flight thereafter, perform a structural inspection and accomplish applicable corrective actions, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated agent).

Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions specified in this AD in accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, dated November 17, 2000, is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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. 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 3: 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 Secs. 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) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD: The actions shall be done in accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-148, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2001. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British airworthiness directive 003-11-2000.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 2001.

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 BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2001 (66 FR 30103). That action proposed to require identifying the discharge valves and cabin pressure controllers, and replacing them with new parts if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Change to Paragraph (b) of Proposed AD

The FAA notes a typographical error in paragraph (b) of the proposed AD. The final rule has been revised to correctly identify the foreign civil airworthiness authority in that paragraph as "the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)."

Conclusion

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 20 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $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 $180 per airplane.

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.

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: