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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0555; Product Identifier 2017-NM-152-AD; Amendment
39-19431; AD 2018-19-30]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
all BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. This AD was prompted
by a report of an improperly installed spacer around the electrical
pins in the cartridge connector for the fire bottle extinguisher
cartridge. This AD requires repetitive inspections for excessive or
missing spacers, and applicable corrective actions. We are issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 2, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 2,
2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information
Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW,
Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292
675704; email RApublications@baesystems.com; internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm.
You may
view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch,
2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0555.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0555; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 28, 2018 (83 FR 30377).
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2017-0212, dated October 25, 2017 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Model 4101 airplanes. The MCAI states:
During scheduled maintenance (fire bottle extinguisher cartridge
resistance check) it was noted that on the extinguisher cartridge,
the blue spacer around the electrical pins appeared to be located
too far forward. It was discovered that, inadvertently, an
additional spacer (possibly from a previous extinguisher cartridge)
was located in the extinguisher cartridge connector. This
effectively shortens the electrical pins in the cartridge connector,
which could result in insufficient engagement with the associated
sockets on the aeroplane connector. A missing spacer would not
affect the electrical connection between the extinguisher cartridge
and the aeroplane wiring, but could allow moisture ingress over
time.
Both conditions, if not detected and corrected, could prevent
the fire extinguisher bottle from discharging when required,
possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to
occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd issued Service Bulletin (SB) J41-26-009, providing
inspection instructions to ensure that a single blue spacer is
fitted on the inside of the extinguisher cartridge connector.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [general visual] inspection [and inspection after a maintenance
task that involves disconnection or re-connection of the electrical
connector] of the extinguisher cartridge electrical connector and
the aeroplane's electrical connector and, depending on findings,
removal of excessive spacers or replacement of the fire extinguisher
bottle.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0555.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor
changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-
26-009, dated November 23, 2016. This service information describes
procedures for a general visual inspection of the cartridge electrical
connector and the aircraft electrical connector for missing or
excessive spacers, and corrective actions including removing excessive
spacers or replacing the fire bottle extinguisher cartridge. This
service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| 1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$0
|
$85
|
$340
|
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary on-condition
actions that would be required based on the results of any required
actions. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
| Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
| 1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
Up to $1,734 |
Up to $1,819 |
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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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