DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0461; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01156-T;
Amendment 39-22113; AD 2022-14-08]
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: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-16-
06, which applied to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101
airplanes. AD 2008-16-06 required the installation of additional
bonding leads, inspection of existing bonding leads for defects,
inspection of fuel system pipe runs in the wings to ensure appropriate
clearances are maintained, and corrective actions. This AD continues to
require the actions in AD 2008-16-06, and adds a requirement to install
additional bonding leads around the crossfeed valve and accomplish a
resistance check. This AD was prompted by a report that there is
insufficient bonding of the crossfeed valve in the fuel tank area. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 18, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 18,
2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of
September 9, 2008 (73 FR 45346, August 5, 2008).

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 https://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/index.htm. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety 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 at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0461.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0461; 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
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) any comments
received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations 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,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3228;
email todd.thompson@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority
for the United Kingdom, has issued CAA AD G-2021-0013, dated October
21, 2021 (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. You may
examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0461.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2008-16-06, Amendment 39-15624 (73 FR
45346, August 5, 2008) (AD 2008-16-06). AD 2008-16-06 applied to all
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on April 20, 2022 (87 FR 23474). The
NPRM was prompted by a report that there is insufficient bonding of the
crossfeed valve in the fuel tank area. The NPRM proposed to continue to
require the actions in AD 2008-16-06, and add a requirement to install
additional bonding leads around the crossfeed valve and accomplish a
resistance check. The FAA is issuing this AD to address insufficient or
defective bonding in the fuel tank area, which, if not corrected, could
lead to ignition of fuel vapors and subsequent fuel tank explosion. See
the MCAI for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial
changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the
changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. Accordingly,
the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-
28-013, Revision 2, dated July 8, 2019. This service information
describes procedures for installation of additional bonding leads on
components within the dry bay at Rib 1 on the airplane centerline and
below the fuselage (around the crossfeed valve), a resistance check, an
inspection of existing bonding leads for defects, an inspection for
clearance of all fuel system pipe runs in the wings, and corrective
actions, as necessary. Corrective actions include replacing any
defective bonding leads and adjusting clearances of the fuel system
pipe runs.
This AD also requires BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service
Bulletin J41-28-013, Revision 1, dated January 10, 2008, which the Director of
the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of
September 9, 2008 (73 FR 45346, August 5, 2008).
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

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 12 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions

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.
The FAA is 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

The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-16-06, Amendment 39-15624
(73 FR 45346, August 5, 2008); and

b. Adding the following new AD: