[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2805-2808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00764]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0020; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-039-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1,
Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes that would
supersede an existing AD. This proposed 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 cracking of the forward main landing gear yoke pintle
resulting from corrosion pits leading to stress corrosion. We are
issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 3, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
[[Page 2806]]
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE
Systems (Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom;
phone: +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0020; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0020;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-039-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On December 16, 1986, we issued AD 87-02-04, Amendment 39-5497 (51
FR 47211, December 31, 1986). That AD required actions intended to
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
Since we issued AD 87-02-04, Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR 47211,
December 31, 1986), there has been a reported failure of the main
landing gear (MLG) on a Jetstream Series 3100 airplane. An
investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of the MLG yoke pintle
housing as a root cause of the MLG failure.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No.: 2013-0208, dated September 10, 2013 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Prompted by occurrences of the main landing gear (MLG) yoke
pintle housing cracking, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority
(UK CAA) issued AD G-003-01-86 to require repetitive inspections to
identify any crack in the yoke pintle housing on MLG fitted to
Jetstream 3100 aeroplanes in accordance with BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd Service Bulletin (SB) 32-A-JA851226, and depending
on findings, corrective action. After that AD was issued, an
occurrence of Jetstream 3100 MLG failure was reported after landing.
The subsequent investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of
the MLG yoke pintle housing as a root cause of the MLG failure.
Furthermore, the investigation report recommended a review of the
effectiveness of UK CAA AD G-003-01-86 in identifying cracks in the
yoke pintle housing on MLG fitted to Jetstream 3100 aeroplanes.
Degradation of the surface protection by abrasion can occur when
the forward face of the yoke pintle rotates against the pintle
bearing, which introduces corrosion pits and, consequently, stress
corrosion cracking.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
structural failure of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control
of the aeroplane during take-off or landing runs.
To provide protection of the affected area of the MLG assembly
spigot housing, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 to
provide instructions for installation of a protective washer, fitted
at the forward spigot on both, left hand (LH) and right hand (RH),
MLG. Consequently, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-A-
JA851226 at Revision 5 to provide additional accomplishment
instructions for Non-destructive testing inspection (NDT) of MLG
equipped with the protective washer installed in accordance with BAE
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 and to introduce reference to
MLG manufacturer APPH Ltd SB 32-19 at Revision 4, providing
instructions for re-protection of the yoke pintle.
For the reasons described above, this AD retains the
requirements of AD G-003-01-86, which is superseded, and requires
implementation of revised inspection requirements, and depending on
findings, corrective action. This AD introduces an optional
modification, which constitutes terminating action for the
inspections required by this AD.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0020.
Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited issued Jetstream Series 3100
& 3200 Service Bulletin No. 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30,
2013; Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA880340, dated January 6, 1989;
which references British Aerospace Dynamics Division Service Bulletin
32-36, dated July 20, 1988; APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19,
Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013; and APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-
40, Revision 1, dated February 2003. The actions described in this
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 44 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 14 work-hours per
product to comply with the inspection requirements of this proposed AD.
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $52,360, or $1,190 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $5,000, for a cost
of $5,850 per
[[Page 2807]]
product for repairs. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these 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.
We are 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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR
47211, December 31, 1986), and adding the following new AD:
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2014-0020;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-039-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by March 3, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 87-02-04, Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR 47211,
December 31, 1986).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model
HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series
3101 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing
Gear.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by 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 cracking of the
forward main landing gear (MLG) yoke pintle that resulted from
corrosion pits leading to stress corrosion. We are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the MLG, which could result in loss of control
of the airplane during take-off or landing.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions specified in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(11) of this AD:
(1) For airplanes previously affected by AD 87-02-04, Amendment
39-5497 (51 FR 47211, December 31, 1986): At the next 1,200 MLG
flight cycle repetitive inspection required by AD 87-02-04 or within
the next 12 months after the last 1,200 MLG flight cycle repetitive
inspection required by AD 87-02-04, whichever occurs first, and
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 MLG flight
cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first, do a nondestructive
testing (NDT) inspection of each MLG assembly cylinder attachment
spigot housing following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH
Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
(2) For airplanes not previously affected by AD 87-02-04,
Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR 47211, December 31, 1986): Within the next
300 MLG flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or within
the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD or at the next
overhaul of the MLG after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed
1,200 MLG flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first, do a
NDT inspection of each MLG assembly cylinder attachment spigot
housing following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd.
Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
(3) For all airplanes: Within 300 landings after a heavy or
abnormal landing, conduct a NDT inspection of each MLG assembly
cylinder attachment spigot following Accomplishment Instructions in
APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3,
2013, as referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 &
3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30,
2013.
(4) For all airplanes: If any crack is found during any
inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this
AD, before further flight, take all necessary corrective actions
following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service
Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as referenced
in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin
32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
(5) For all airplanes: Within 300 MLG flight cycles or 3 months,
whichever occurs first after each NDT inspection required in
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable, and
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 MLG flight
cycles or 3 months, whichever occurs first, do a visual inspection
of each MLG following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd.
Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
(6) For all airplanes: If any discrepancy is found during any
visual inspection required in paragraph (f)(5) of this AD, before
further flight, take all necessary corrective actions following the
Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19,
Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as referenced in British Aerospace
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226,
Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
(7) For all airplanes with a MLG incorporating a microswitch
hole: Within the next 10,600 MLG flight cycles since new and
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 MLG flight
cycles, do a NDT inspection of each MLG microswitch hole following
the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No.
32-40, Revision 1, dated February 2003 as referenced in Part C,
paragraph (2)(b) of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200
Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
(8) For all airplanes: If any crack is found during any NDT
inspection required in
[[Page 2808]]
paragraph (f)(7) of this AD, before further flight, take all
necessary corrective actions following the Accomplishment
Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-40, Revision 1,
dated February 2003, as referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated
April 30, 2013.
(9) For all airplanes: Doing all necessary corrective actions
required in paragraphs (f)(4), (f)(6), and (f)(8) of this AD does
not constitute terminating action for the inspections required by
this AD.
(10) For all airplanes: Modification of each MLG cylinder
following BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-
JA880340, original issue, dated January 6, 1989, constitutes
terminating action for the inspections required by this AD for that
MLG.
(11) For all airplanes: The compliance times in paragraphs
(f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(5), and (f)(7) of this AD are presented in
flight cycles (landings). If the total flight cycles have not been
kept, multiply the total number of airplane hours time-in-service
(TIS) by 0.75 to calculate the cycles. For the purposes of this AD:
(i) 100 hours TIS x .75 = 75 cycles; and
(ii) 1,000 hours TIS x .75 = 750 cycles.
(g) Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
This AD allows credit for the initial inspection required in
paragraph (f)(7) of this AD if done before the effective date of
this AD following APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-40, at Initial Issue
dated June 21, 1989.
(h) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(i) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2013-0208, dated September 10, 2013, for related information. You
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0020. For
service information related to this AD, contact BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom;
phone: +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 8, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-00764 Filed 1-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P