AD 2011-08-11

AD Final Rules - 2011-08-11.pdf
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AD Number:
2011-08-11
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
FAA-2010-1308
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146 Airplanes, and Model Avro 1...Show more
Subject:
Fuselage
Status:
Current
Citation:
Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)
Citation Publish Date:
04/21/2011
Effective Date:
05/26/2011
Make:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Model:
Avro 146-RJ100A | Avro 146-RJ70A | Avro 146-RJ85A | BAe 146-100A | BAe 146-200A | BAe 146-300A
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
2005-13-19
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]


[Rules and Regulations]


[Pages 22296-22298]


From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[FR Doc No: 2011-8667]


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. FAA-2010-1308; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-069-AD] Amendment 39-16661;


AD 2011-08-11]


RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146


Airplanes, and Model Avro 146-RJ Airplanes


AGENCY:
 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).


ACTION:
 
Final rule.


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


SUMMARY:
 
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the


products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)


originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on


an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:


During the period 2001/2002, skin cracking was found adjacent to the butt joint


forward of frame 19 * * *. The cracks emanated from chemically-etched pockets on


the internal surface of the skin. * * * [C]racking in multiple adjacent bays * * * could


compromise the structural integrity of the fuselage in the event that the multiple cracks


joined into a single crack. * * *


During 2008, a further report was received at BAE Systems of a 13.78 inch crack in an


AVRO 146-RJ that occurred 514 flight cycles (FC) short of the next 4 000-FC


repetitive inspection interval. * * *


*
 
*
 
*
 
*
 
*


We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.


DATES:
 
This AD becomes effective May 26, 2011.


The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain


publication listed in this AD as of May 26, 2011.


The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain other


publication listed in this AD as of August 2, 2005 (70 FR 37022, June 28, 2005).


1
ADDRESSES:
 
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in


person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground


Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 
Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,


International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,


Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


Discussion


We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD


that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on


January 13, 2011 (76 FR 2281), and proposed to supersede AD 2005-13-19, Amendment 39-14156


(70 FR 37022, June 28, 2005). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified


products. The MCAI states:


During the period 2001/2002, skin cracking was found adjacent to the butt joint


forward of frame 19 when unrelated in-service maintenance inspections of the forward


fuselage structure were being completed. The cracks emanated from chemically-


etched pockets on the internal surface of the skin. The then current MRB [maintenance


review board] inspection requirements were not adequate to address cracking in


multiple adjacent bays, which could compromise the structural integrity of the


fuselage in the event that the multiple cracks joined into a single crack. Investigations


resulted in the publication of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service


Bulletin (ISB).53-167 in June [27,] 2003, which was made mandatory by CAA UK


AD 007-06-2003. The ISB was subsequently re-issued at Revision 1 during 2004


[May 18, 2004] to clarify the inspection requirements and provide an improved


inspection procedure. CAA UK AD G-2005-0002 [which corresponds to FAA AD


2005-13-19] (EASA approval number 2005-313) was issued to require


accomplishment of the improved inspections.


During 2008, a further report was received at BAE Systems of a 13.78 inch crack in an


AVRO 146-RJ that occurred 514 flight cycles (FC) short of the next 4 000-FC


repetitive inspection interval. A reassessment of ISB instructions and its supporting


data concluded that these original inspection periods were too long, and the method


for defining the areas requiring inspection could be open to misinterpretation. In


response, BAE Systems has updated the ISB to Revision 2 [dated December 12, 2008]


to reduce the inspection intervals, introducing different inspection intervals associated


with specific areas of the forward fuselage skins and instructions to inspect additional


areas of the forward fuselage skin.


For the reasons described above, this AD retains the requirements of CAA UK AD G-


2005-0002, which is superseded, and requires the implementation of revised repetitive


inspections, including inspection of additional areas of the forward fuselage skin


panels for cracking and follow-on repair action(s), depending on findings.


This AD is [further] revised to acknowledge the issuance of BAE Systems


(Operations) Limited ISB.53-167 Revision 3, [dated June 17, 2009] which allows the


repetitive inspection intervals to be extended and introduces grace periods to carry out


the initial inspections. In addition, this AD at Revision 1 [EASA AD 2009-0070R1,


2