AD 97-11-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes, that requires inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) A-frame attachment fittings to detect corrosion or cracking, and repair or replacement of cracked or corroded components with new components. This amendment is prompted by findings of corroded and cracked A-frame components of the MLG. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent corrosion and cracking of MLG A-frame components, which could result in collapse of the MLG.

Final rule

97-11-14 BRITISH AEROSPACE AIRBUS LIMITED (Formerly British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited, British Aerospace Aircraft Group): Amendment 39-10043. Docket 96-NM-193-AD.
Applicability: Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes; equipped with main landing gear (MLG) A-frame attachment fittings having the part numbers listed in British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6036, Issue 1, dated November 24, 1995; certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 (f) 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 corrosion or cracking of MLG A-frame fittings, which could result in collapse of the MLG, accomplish the following:

(a) Conduct a detailed visual inspection to detect corrosion or cracking of the MLG A-frame attachment fittings, in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6036, Issue 1, dated November 24, 1995, and at the applicable time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD:

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 16,000 or fewer total landings as of the effective date of this AD: Conduct the initial inspection at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii).

(i) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings or within 8 years since new, whichever occurs first; or

(ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 16,000 total landings as of the effective date of this AD: Conduct the initial inspection within 4,000 landings or 2 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(b) If no corrosion or cracking is found, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals of 4,000 landings or 2 years, whichever occurs first.

(c) If corrosion is found and it is within the limits specified in British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6036, Issue 1, dated November 24, 1995, prior to further flight, repair the component in accordance with the alert service bulletin. After repair, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals of 4,000 landings or 2 years, whichever occurs first.

(d) If corrosion is found and it isoutside the limits specified in British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6036, Issue 1, dated November 24, 1995, prior to further flight, replace the corroded component with a new component in accordance with the alert service bulletin. After replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals of 4,000 landings or 2 years, whichever occurs first.

(e) If any cracking is found, prior to further flight, replace the cracked component with a new component in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6036, Issue 1, dated November 24, 1995. After replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals of 4,000 landings or 2 years, whichever occurs first.

(f) 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, ANM-113, FAA, Transport AirplaneDirectorate. 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.

(g) 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.

(h) The actions shall be done in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 53-A-PM6036, Issue 1, dated November 24, 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, 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.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 1997.

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 British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 1997 (62 FR 14047). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed visual inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) A-frame attachment fittings to detect corrosion or cracking, and repair or replacement of cracked or corroded components with new components.

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
The FAA estimates that 25 Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour 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 $1,500, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.

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.

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 aFederalism 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:

PART39 - 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: