AD 2006-05-10

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection for corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) doors, and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from in-service reports of hinge bracket failures on the MLG doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the hinge bracket on the MLG door, which could result in separation of the door, consequent structural damage to the airplane, and possible injury to people on the ground.

Final rule.

2006-05-10 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14507. Docket No. FAA- 2005-23477; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-181-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective April 13, 2006.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to 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; as identified in BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from in-service reports of hinge bracket failures on the main landing gear (MLG) doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the hinge bracket on the MLG door, which could result in separation of the door, consequent structural damage to the airplane, and possible injury to people on the ground.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection/Corrective Action

(f) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD: Perform a one-time detailed inspection for corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG doors by doing all the applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005. Perform any applicable corrective action before further flight in accordance with the service bulletin. If no corrosion is found, before further flight, apply protective treatment in accordance with the service bulletin.

(1) For airplanes on which the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthinessis on or before February 28, 1991: Within 192 months since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later.

(2) For airplanes on which the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness is after February 28, 1991: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Inspections Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

(g) Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, dated February 2, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Parts Installation

(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, a hinge bracket assembly of the left and right MLG doors, unless it has been inspected (and any corrective actions done) according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005.

No Reporting Required

(i) Although BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005, referenced in this AD, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methodsof Compliance (AMOCs)

(j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(k) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0017, dated July 6, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(l) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.52-113, Revision 1, dated February 11, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

Examining the Docket

You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2006 (71 FR 297). That NPRM proposed to require a one-time detailed inspection for corrosion of the hinge bracket assembly of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) doors, and corrective action if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

This AD affects about 35 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required actions will take about 4 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions for U.S. operators is $9,100, or $260 per airplane.

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 have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):