2023-02-06: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-15-11, Amendment 39-14200 (70 FR 43025, July 26, 2005); AD 2016-07-09, Amendment 39-18454 (81 FR 21263, April 11, 2016); and AD 2018-19-24, Amendment 39-19425 (83 FR 49786, October 3, 2018); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2023-02-06 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-22313; Docket No. FAA-2022-1298; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00437-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 14, 2023. (b) Affected ADs (1) This AD replaces AD 2005-15-11, Amendment 39-14200 (70 FR 43025, July 26, 2005) (AD 2005-15-11). (2) This AD replaces AD 2016-07-09, Amendment 39-18454 (81 FR 21263, April 11, 2016) (AD 2016-07-09). (3) This AD replaces AD 2018-19-24, Amendment 39-19425 (83 FR 49786, October 3, 2018) (AD 2018-19-24). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue damage of various airplane structures and failure of certain structurally significant items, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. The FAA is also issuing this AD to address fuel vapor ignition sources, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program (From AD 2016-07-09), With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2016-07-09, with no changes. Within 90 days after May 16, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-09): Revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating Subjects 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations"; 05-10-20, "Certification Maintenance Requirements"; and 05-10-30, "Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)-Fuel System"; of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Revision 38, dated September 15, 2013. The initial compliance times for the tasks are at the applicable times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of this AD. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (m) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (1) For replacement tasks of life limited parts specified in Subject 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations," of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Revision 38, dated September 15, 2013: Prior to the applicable flight cycles (landings) or flight hours (flying hours) on the part specified in the "Mandatory Life Limits" column in Subject 05-10-10, or within 90 days after May 16, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-09), whichever occurs later. (2) For structurally significant item tasks specified in Subject 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations," of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Revision 38, dated September 15, 2013: Prior to the accumulation of the applicable flight cycles specified in the "Initial Inspection" column in Subject 05-10-10, or within 90 days after May 16, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-09), whichever occurs later. (3) For certification maintenance requirements tasks specified in Subject 05-10-20, "Certification Maintenance Requirements," of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Revision 38, dated September 15, 2013: Prior to the accumulation of the applicable flight hours specified in the "Time Between Checks" column in Subject 05-10-20, or within 90 days after May 16, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-07-09), whichever occurs later; except for tasks that specify "first flight of the day" in the "Time Between Checks" column in Subject 05-10-20, the initial compliance time is the first flight of the next day after doing the revision required by paragraph (g) of AD 2016-07-09, or within 90 days after May 16, 2016, whichever occurs later. (h) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or CDCCLs, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2016-07-09, with no changes. Except as required by paragraph (m) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o)(1) of this AD. (i) Retained Inspection, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2018-19-24, with no changes. At the compliance times specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this AD, as applicable: Do a detailed inspection of fuselage frame 90 for cracking or fatigue damage, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-058, dated December 6, 2016. If any cracking or fatigue damage is found: Before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (m) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (1) For airplanes with 6,300 flight cycles or fewer since Structural Significant Items (SSI) 53-10-029 (Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) 531029-DVl-10010-1) was last accomplished: Within 6,600 flight cycles after the last accomplishment of SSI 53-10-029 (MPD 531029-DVl-10010-1), or within 6 months after November 7, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2018-19-24), whichever is later. (2) For airplanes with more than 6,300 flight cycles since SSI 53-10-029 (MPD 531029-DVl-10010-1) was last accomplished: Within 300 flight cycles or 4.5 months, whichever is earlier, since the last accomplishment of SSI 53-10-029 (MPD 531029-DVl-10010-1), or within 6 months after November 7, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2018-19-24), whichever is later. (j) Retained Revision of Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program (From AD 2018-19-24), With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2018-19-24, with no changes. Within 90 days after November 7, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2018-19-24): Revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the maintenance tasks and associated thresholds and intervals described in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-51-001, Revision 4, dated July 11, 2017. The initial compliance times for new or revised tasks are at the applicable times specified in BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-51-001, Revision 4, dated July 11, 2017, or within 6 months after November 7, 2018, whichever is later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (m) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (k) Retained No Alternative Actions and Intervals, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2018-19-24, with no changes. Except as required by paragraph (m) of this AD: After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o)(1) of this AD. (l) Retained No Reporting Requirement, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2018-19-24, with no changes. Although the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-058, dated December 6, 2016, specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (m) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating Subjects 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations"; 05-10-20, "Certification Maintenance Requirements"; and 05-10-30, "Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)-Fuel System"; of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 403, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 408, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; as applicable. The initial compliance times for the tasks are at the applicable times specified in paragraphs (m)(1) through (3) of this AD. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the actions required by paragraphs (g), (i) and (j) of this AD. (1) For replacement tasks of life limited parts specified in Subject 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations," of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 403, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 408, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; as applicable: Prior to the applicable flight cycles (landings) or flight hours (flying hours) on the part specified in the "Mandatory Life Limits" column in Subject 05-10-10, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (2) For structurally significant item tasks specified in Subject 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations," of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 403, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 408, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; as applicable: Prior to the accumulation of the applicable flight cycles specified in the "Initial Inspection" column in Subject 05-10-10, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (3) For certification maintenance requirements tasks specified in Subject 05-10-20, "Certification Maintenance Requirements," of Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 403, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 408, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021; as applicable: Prior to the accumulation of the applicable flight hours specified in the "Time Between Checks" column in Subject 05-10-20, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; except for tasks that specify "first flight of the day" in the "Time Between Checks" column in Subject 05-10-20, the initial compliance time is the first flight of the next day after accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (m) of this AD, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (n) New No Alternative Actions, Intervals, or CDCCLs After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (m) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o)(1) of this AD. (o) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (p)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (U.K. CAA); or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's U.K. CAA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (p) Additional Information (1) Refer to U.K. CAA AD G-2022-0006, dated March 30, 2022, for related information. This U.K. CAA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1298. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3228; email [email protected]. (q) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 14, 2023. (i) Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Effectivity Group 403, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021. Note 1 to paragraph (q)(3)(i): This note applies to paragraphs (q)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD. Page 1 of the "Publications Transmittal" is the only page that shows the revision level of this document. Note 2 to paragraph (q)(3)(i): This note applies to paragraphs (q)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD. "Effectivity Group" is not specifically stated on the document. However, "403" and "408," which are stated on the pages of the applicable documents (except for the title pages), refer to the effective groups of airplanes specified within the fleet code listings. (ii) Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM, Effectivity Group 408, Revision 44, dated June 15, 2021. (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on November 7, 2018 (83 FR 49786, October 3, 2018). (i) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-058, dated December 6, 2016. (ii) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-51-001, Revision 4, dated July 11, 2017. (5) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 16, 2016 (81 FR 21263, April 11, 2016). (i) Chapter 05, "Airworthiness Limitations," of the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Revision 38, dated September 15, 2013. Note 3 to paragraph (q)(5)(i): Page 1 of the "Publications Transmittal" is the only page that shows the revision level of this document. (A) Subject 05-10-10, "Airworthiness Limitations." (B) Subject 05-10-20, "Certification Maintenance Requirements." (C) Subject 05-10-30, "Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)-Fuel System." (ii) [Reserved] (6) For service information identified in this AD, 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 [email protected]; website regional-services.com. (7) You may view this 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. (8) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on January 20, 2023. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-02526 Filed 2-6-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P