AD 97-24-12

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection to determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reversers, and to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment requires that the inspections be repeated at certain intervals. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the control cables, which may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an uncommanded deployment of the thrust reverser while the airplane is in flight.

Final rule

97-24-12 BRITISH AEROSPACE: Amendment 39-10219. Docket 96-NM-187-AD. Supersedes AD 94-17-02, Amendment 39-8997.
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 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 prevent failure of the thrust reverser control cables, which may lead to the inability of the thrust reverser to deploy and/or an uncommanded thrust reverser deployment while the airplane is in flight, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 100 hours time-in-service or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an inspection to determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reverser, in accordance with British Aerospace, Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 1995. If the tension of any control cable is outside the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, correct the tension of that cable in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 hours time-in- service or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

(b) Within 100 hours time-in-service or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an inspection to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion (swelling) of the control cable of the thrust reverser, in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 1995.

(1) If no discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, lubricate the cables in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 hours time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

(2) If any control cable is damaged, is worn beyond the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, is corroded, or has a broken wire, prior to further flight, replace the discrepant cable with a serviceable cable, and lubricate the cables in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2400 hours time-in-service or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(c) An alternative method ofcompliance 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.

(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.

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 76-A-PM6031, dated January 18, 1995. 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 (Operations) Ltd., trading as British Aerospace Airbus Ltd., 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 2, 1998.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 94-17-02, amendment 39-8997 (59 FR 41235, August 11, 1994), which is applicable to all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on September 22, 1997 (62 FR 49458). The action proposed to require repetitive inspections of the control cables of the thrust reverser to determine the tension of the control cables of the thrust reversers, and to detect breakage, damage, wear, or signs of corrosion; and corrective actions, 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.

Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact
Thereare approximately 42 Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The actions that are currently required by AD 94-17-02 take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the previously required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,560, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The new actions that are required by this new AD will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,560, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

Regulatory Impact
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 RulesDocket. 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.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8997 (59 FR 41235, August 11, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-10219, to read as follows: