[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78726-78729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30631]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 2014 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 78726]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-1093; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft
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 Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-06-03. 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 stress corrosion cracking of the
main landing gear spigot housing. 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 February 17,
2015.
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.
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-
1093; 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-2014-1093;
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-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 March 14, 2014, we issued AD 2014-06-03, Amendment 39-17807 (79
FR 17395; March 28, 2014) (``AD 2014-06-03''). That AD required actions
intended to address an unsafe condition on British Aerospace Regional
Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes
and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of another country.
Since we issued AD 2014-06-03, corrosion was found on an airplane
at the top outer edge of the forward spigot housing and extended along
the top of the spigot housing. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited issued
new service information to ensure the spigot cap is positioned
correctly and to include inspection instructions for movement of the
special washer and instructions for addressing any corrosion that may
be found.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No. 2014-0239, dated November 3, 2014 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Several cases of stress corrosion cracking of DTD 5094 standard Main
Landing Gear (MLG) cylinders have been reported on Jetstream Series
3200 and 3100 aeroplanes.
Prompted by these findings, The United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) issued AD 003-01-86 to require visual and non-
destructive testing (NDT) inspections of the MLG assembly cylinder
attachment spigot housing in accordance with BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd SB 32-A-JA851226. In 2012 an additional occurrence
of Jetstream 3100 MLG failure after landing was reported, the
subsequent investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of the
yoke pintle housing as a root cause of the MLG failure. Consequently
EASA issued EASA AD 2013-0208 to require inspection of the MLG in
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-A-JA851226
Revision 5 or later approved revisions to detect any crack, however,
SB 32-A-JA851226 did not apply to aeroplanes
[[Page 78727]]
equipped with MLG cylinders manufactured from L161 material, since
that is not susceptible to stress corrosion, BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 to address degradation of the
surface protection by placing a special washer over the forward face
of the MLG spigot housing, which rotates with the spigot housing.
EASA issued AD 2013-0206 to require modification of the left (LH)
and right hand (RH) MLG in accordance with this SB.
In 2014 a further event was reported, where the LH MLG of a
Jetstream 3100 aeroplane collapsed during landing, this resulted in
the aeroplane departing from the runway. The accident is still under
investigation by the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Preliminary results of the investigation determined that cracking,
which caused the MLG collapse, was initiated from a corrosion pit at
the top outer edge of the forward spigot housing and extended along
the top of the spigot housing. The spigot housing material was DTD
5094. The affected LH MLG had been modified in accordance with BAE
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 Revision 1. Further
investigation discovered that the instructions provided in BAE
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 Revision 1 did not effectively
prevent stress corrosion cracking because, under certain
circumstances, it allows the rotation of the special washer and
consequent damage of the end face of the spigot housing.
This condition, if not 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 address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems (Operations)
Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 Revision 2 to clarify the orientation of the
spigot bearing cap, later revised to SB 32-JM7862 Revision 3 to
ensure the spigot bearing cap is correctly positioned. Additionally,
BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-A-JA140940 to provide
inspection instructions to detect migration of the special washer
and any potential corrosion resulting from that unwanted migration
for MLG installations modified earlier in accordance with BAE
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 up to Revision 2.
For the reasons described above, this AD partially retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0206, which is superseded, and requires
a one-time inspection of pre-SB 32-JM7862 Revision 3 MLG
installations and, depending on findings, applicable corrective
action(s).
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1093.
Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft has issued British Aerospace
Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin No. 32-JM7862, Revision
3, dated October 3, 2014; and British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100
and 3200 Service Bulletin No. 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated
October 3, 2014. 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 2 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $170 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $14,960, or $340 per product.
We accept modification of the MLG, if done before the effective
date of this proposed AD, using earlier versions of the service
information. However, the earlier versions of the service information
require additional inspections with possible corrective actions.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions that
may be required if using an earlier version of the service information
would take about 1 work-hour to inspect for special washer migration
and corrosion damage and require parts costing $100 for replacement of
the special washer and application of witness paint, if necessary, for
a cost of $185 per product. 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 39-17806 (79 FR
17395; March 28, 2014), and adding the following new AD:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2014-1093;
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD.
[[Page 78728]]
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by February 17, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2014-06-03, Amendment 39-17806 (79 FR
17395; March 28, 2014).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream
Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 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 stress corrosion
cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) spigot housing. We are
issuing this AD to prevent corrosion cracking of the MLG spigot
housing. This condition, if not corrected, could cause structural
failure of the MLG resulting in loss of control of the airplane
during take-off or landing.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs
(f)(1) through (f)(11), including all subparagraphs, as applicable.
(1) At the next scheduled MLG removal, modify the installation
of the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) MLG at the forward spigot
following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service
Bulletin No. 32-JM7862, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2014.
Note to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: The next scheduled MLG
removal may be for non-destructive testing or overhaul, as
applicable.
(2) If done before the effective date of this AD, we will accept
modification of the LH or RG MLG following British Aerospace
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin SB 32-JM7862, Revision
2, dated June 13, 2014; or British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 &
3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013, for
compliance with paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(3) For airplanes that, before the effective date of this AD,
have been modified following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100
& 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 2, dated June 13, 2014,
visually inspect the LH and RH MLG to detect migration of a special
washer following the instructions in Part 1 of British Aerospace
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940,
Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014, at the compliance time listed
in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) For MLG configuration equipped with DTD5094 cylinder: Within
the next 200 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or
within the next 2 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
(ii) For MLG configuration equipped with L161 cylinder: Within
the next 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or
within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
(4) If evidence of migration of the special washer was detected
during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD,
within the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph
(f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, do the corrective actions on the
LH or RH MLG, as applicable, following Part 2 of British Aerospace
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940,
Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
(5) If no evidence of migration of the special washer was
detected during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this
AD, before further flight, apply a witness paint over the special
washer tab and onto the MLG spigot housing (LH and RH MLG) following
Part 1 of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service
Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
(6) For airplanes that, before the effective date of this AD,
have been modified following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100
& 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013, do
all of the actions on the MLG cylinder (LH and/or RH, as applicable)
following the instructions in Part 2 of British Aerospace Jetstream
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue,
dated October 3, 2014, at the compliance time listed in paragraph
(f)(6)(i) or (f)(6)(ii), as applicable.
(i) For MLG configuration equipped with DTD5094 cylinder: Within
the next 200 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or
within the next 2 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
(ii) For MLG configuration equipped with L161 cylinder: Within
the next 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or
within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first.
(7) If any wear, corrosion, or damage is detected during the
inspection required in either paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(6), as
applicable, of this AD, before further flight, do all of the
corrective actions (including application of the a witness paint)
following the instructions in Part 2 of British Aerospace Jetstream
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue,
dated October 3, 2014.
(8) Between 30 and 45 days after doing the action required in
either paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(6) of this AD or between the next 20
to 30 flight cycles after doing the action required in either
paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(6) of this AD, whichever occurs first,
inspect the witness paint applied as required in either paragraph
(f)(5) or (f)(7) of this AD following the instructions in Part 3 of
British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-
A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
(9) If any damaged paint is detected during the inspection
required in paragraph (f)(8) of this AD, before further flight,
contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft to obtain FAA-approved
repair instructions approved specifically for this AD and
incorporate those instructions. You may find the contact information
for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(10) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a LH or
RH MLG on any of the applicable airplanes unless it has passed all
of the inspections required by this AD.
(11) For all airplanes: The compliance times for paragraphs
(f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), (f)(6)(i), (f)(6)(ii), and (f)(8) 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. You may
use the following as an example for this AD:
(i) 200 hours TIS x .75 = 150 cycles; or
(ii) 600 hours TIS x .75 = 450 cycles.
(g) 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.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community,
AD No. 2014-0239, dated November 3, 2014; and British Aerospace
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin SB 32-JA851226,
Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013; British Aerospace Jetstream and
British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-
JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013, for related information. You
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1093. 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.
[[Page 78729]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 2014.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-30631 Filed 12-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P