2023-02-10: Fuselage

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 99-25-11, Amendment 39-11454 (64 FR 72522, December 28, 1999); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-02-10 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-22317; Docket No. FAA-2022-1313; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01418-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 99-25-11, Amendment 39-11454 (64 FR 72522, December 28, 1999) (AD 99-25-11). (c) Applicability This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146-100A, -200A, and -300A airplanes; and Model Avro 146-RJ70A, 146-RJ85A, and 146-RJ100A airplanes; certificated in any category, without modification HCM20011A, HCM20012A, HCM20013A, HCM20313A, HCM20314A, or HMC20315A. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on the left-hand sidewall well on the nose landing gear (NLG), and by the determination that additional airplanes are subject to the identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to address cracking along the face of the retraction attachment boss in the NLG sidewall, which could result in premature extension of the NLG or result in depressurization of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Repetitive Inspections, With New Terminating Action This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (a) of AD 99-25-11, with new terminating action. For airplanes listed in British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.53-152, dated October 8, 1998: Prior to the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles, or within 200 flight cycles after February 1, 2000 (the effective date of AD 99-25-11), whichever occurs later, perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracking along the face of the retraction attachment boss in the NLG sidewall, in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.53-152, dated October 8, 1998. Thereafter, repeat the eddy current inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,600 flight cycles, except as provided in paragraph (j) of this AD. (h) Retained Repair, With Revised Repair Approval This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (b) of AD 99-25-11, with revised repair approval. (1) If any crack is detected before the effective date of this AD, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair or re-inspect in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its delegated agent). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, International Branch, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (2) If any crack is detected on or after the effective date of this AD during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, either repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (U.K. CAA); or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's U.K. CAA Design Organization Approval (DOA); or do the replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (i) New Requirements: Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions (1) For all airplanes: Before the accumulation of 7,375 total flight cycles, or within 625 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, or within 2,600 flight cycles since the most recent inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, whichever occurs latest, do an eddy current inspection for cracking in the bore and along the face of the retraction jack attachment boss in the left-hand NLG sidewall, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018. Before further flight, repair or replace any cracked sidewall, as applicable, in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,700 flight cycles, except as provided in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) For airplanes on which a repair identified for Option A, D, or E in Table 1 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018, has been done: Inspect within 20,000 flight cycles after the repair, and repeat thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles. (ii) For airplanes on which the replacement with part number HC537L0002-000, -002, or -004 identified in Option F in Table 1 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-52, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018, has been done: Inspect within 20,000 flight cycles after the repair, and repeat thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles. (2) For airplanes on which re-inspection of cracks was allowed as specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: Within 2,600 flight cycles after the most recent inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, repair or replace any cracked sidewall, as applicable, in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018. (j) Terminating Action (1) Accomplishment of the initial inspection and applicable corrective actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (2) Accomplishment of the action identified for Option B or C in Table 1 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018, terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraphs (g) and (i)(1) of this AD. (3) Accomplishment of the replacement with part number HC537L0002-006 identified for Option F in Table 1 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018, terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraphs (g) and (i)(1) of this AD. (k) Credit for Previous Actions (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraphs (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information identified in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 6, dated March 5, 2014. (ii) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 7, dated May 7, 2014. (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (j)(3) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information identified in paragraphs (k)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, provided the sidewall replacement for Option F was part number HC537L0002-006. (i) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 6, dated March 5, 2014. (ii) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 7, dated May 7, 2014. (l) No Reporting Requirement Although BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (m) Other FAA AD Provisions (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 (n)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 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: As of the effective date of this AD, 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 U.K. CAA; or BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's U.K. CAA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (n) Additional Information (1) Refer to Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom) AD G-2021-0016, dated December 17, 2021, for related information. This U.K. CAA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1313. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (206) 231-3228; email: Todd.Thompson@faa.gov . (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (o)(5) and (6) of this AD. (o) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 17, 2023. (i) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.53-152, Revision 8, dated February 19, 2018. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on February 1, 2000 (64 FR 72522, December 28, 1999). (i) British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB.53-152, dated October 8, 1998. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; phone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: RApublications@baesystems.com; website regional-services.com . (6) You may view this service information at 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. (7) 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: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on January 24, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-02783 Filed 2-9-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P