[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3350]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-198-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Model 4101
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101
airplanes. This proposal would require installation of new fairlead
assemblies and P-clips; inspection to detect damage of the wiring
harness at the wing rear spars; repair or replacement of any damaged
wiring harness with a new wiring harness assembly; and verification of
the position of the currently installed P-clips, and repositioning, if
necessary. This proposal is prompted by a report of abrasion of an
electrical power cable in the wiring harness at the wing rear spar. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent abrasion
of electrical power cables in the wiring harnesses at the wing rear
spars, which could lead to a dormant failure of emergency fuel and
hydraulic shutoff services.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 11, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-198-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 93-NM-198-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 93-NM-198-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes.
The CAA advises that the manufacturer found an abraded electrical power
cable in the wiring harness at the wing rear spar on one airplane. The
cause of this abrasion has been attributed to insufficient clearance
between the electrical cable loom and the flap mechanism. Abrasion of
these cables, if not corrected, could result in dormant failure of
emergency fuel and hydraulic shutoff services.
Jetstream Aircraft Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-57-003,
dated October 13, 1993, that describes procedures for installation of
new fairlead assemblies and P-clips; visual inspection to detect damage
of the wiring harnesses at the wing rear spars; verification of the
positioning of the currently installed P-clips; and repositioning of
improperly installed P-clips. The CAA classified this service bulletin
as mandatory in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in the United Kingdom.
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require installation of new
fairlead assemblies and P-clips; visual inspection to detect damage of
the wiring harnesses at the wing rear spars; verification of the
positioning the of currently installed P-clips, and repositioning
improperly installed P-clips. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
The proposal would also require that operators repair or replace
damaged wiring harnesses.
The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $1,320, or $110 per airplane. This total cost figure
assumes that no operator has yet accomplished the proposed requirements
of this AD action.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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 (44FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 93-NM-198-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes having constructor numbers
41004 through 41016 inclusive, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent abrasion of the electrical power cables in the wiring
harnesses at the wing rear spars, which could lead to a dormant
failure of emergency fuel and hydraulic shutoff services, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, install
new fairleads and P-clips, perform a visual inspection to detect
damage of the wiring harness at the left and right wing rear spar,
and verify that the currently installed P-clips are properly
positioned; in accordance with Jetstream Series 4100 Service
Bulletin J41-57-003, dated October 13, 1993.
(1) If any wiring harness is found to be damaged, prior to
further flight, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph
(a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Replace the damaged wiring harness with a new wiring harness
assembly in accordance with Jetstream Series 4100 Aircraft
Maintenance Manual. Or
(ii) Repair the damaged wiring harness in accordance with a
method approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(2) If any currently installed P-clip is found to be improperly
positioned, prior to further flight, reposition the P-clip in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3350 Filed 2-11-94; 8:45 am]
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