[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 12 (Thursday, January 18, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4645-4647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-901]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-CE-57-AD; Amendment 39-12073; AD 2001-01-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
[[Page 4646]]
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This AD requires you to
remove the nose landing gear steering actuator and install one that
incorporates a modified piston rod. This AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent failure of the nose landing gear steering actuator
because of problems with the current design piston rod. Continued
operation with the current design piston rod could result in loss of
nose wheel steering and possible loss of control of the airplane during
takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 24, 2001.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of
February 24, 2001.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888;
facsimile: (01292) 479703. You may examine this information at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-57-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom,
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British
Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101
and 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports three occurrences of nose landing
gear failure in the area of the undercut on the base of the eye and
thread on the steering actuator. The CAA reports cracks in this area on
10 additional nose landing gear units.
Investigation of these occurrences reveals incorrect installation
or insufficient lubrication at the steering actuator trunnions. This
then causes bending loads in the steering actuator piston rod during
operation.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Cracks
in or failure of the steering actuator piston rod could result in loss
of nose wheel steering and possible loss of control of the airplane
during takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1,
Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes.
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 24, 2000 (65 FR 63551). The NPRM
proposed to require you to remove the nose landing gear steering
actuator and install one that incorporates a modified piston rod.
Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. We have
given due consideration to the comments received.
Comment Disposition
What is the Commenters' Concern? Several commenters express concern
over the compliance time that FAA established. In particular, the
comments are:
--200 hours time-in-service (TIS) is unrealistic for the installation
because parts would not be available and many of the affected aircraft
would be unjustly grounded; and
--since CAA and British Aerospace recommend 3,000 landings since May 5,
2000, FAA should adopt a similar compliance time.
What is FAA's Response to the Concern? After consulting with
British Aerospace and CAA, we concur that 200 hours TIS would unjustly
ground many of the affected aircraft. We are changing the compliance
time of the installation in this final rule as follows:
``Within the next 3,000 landings after May 5, 2000 (the issue date
of the applicable service information) or within the next 90 days after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.''
The FAA's Determination
What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the compliance
time change and minor editorial corrections. We determined that this
compliance time change and the minor corrections:
--Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--Will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 264 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
modification:
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Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane U.S. airplane
operators
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2 workhours x $60 per hour=$120....... $1,520 per airplane....... $1,640 per airplane....... $432,960
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Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is
not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small
entities
[[Page 4647]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the
final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules
Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at
the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
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 Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2001-01-03 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-12073; Docket No. 2000-
CE-57-AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Models HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101
and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any
category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the nose landing gear
steering actuator because of problems with the current design piston
rod. Continued operation with the current design piston rod could
result in loss of nose wheel steering and possible loss of control
of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Action Compliance time Procedures
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(1) Remove the nose landing gear Within the next In accordance with
steering actuator and install 3,000 landings the procedures in
one that incorporates a after May 5, 2000 APPH Ltd. Service
modified piston rod. (the issue date Bulletin 32-73,
of the applicable dated April 2000,
service bulletin) as referenced in
or within the British Aerospace
next 90 days Jetstream
after February Manadatory
17, 2001 (the Service Bulletin
effective date of 32-JA000342,
this AD), Issued: May 5,
whichever occurs 2000.
later, unless
already
accomplished. If
the number of
landings is
unknown, you may
use hours time-in-
service (TIS) by
multiplying the
number of hours
TIS by 0.75. In
this carfe, 3,000
landings would be
equal to 4,000
hours TIS (4,000
hours TIS x
.75=3,000
landings).
(2) You may not install, on any As of February 17, Not Applicable.
affected airplane, a nose 2001 (the
landing gear unit that does not effective date of
incorporate a modified steering this AD).
actuator piston rod, as
required by paragraph (d)(1) of
this AD.
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered,
or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For
airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the
performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/
operator must request approval for an alternative method of
compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request
should include an assessment of the effect of the modification,
alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD;
and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific
actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mr. Doug Rudolph,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059;
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-73, dated April 2000, as
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin
32-JA000342, Issued: May 5, 2000. The Director of the Federal
Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9
2RW, Scotland. You can look at copies at FAA, Central Region, Office
of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on February 24, 2001.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 004-
05-2000.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-901 Filed 1-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P