[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 245 (Tuesday, December 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70641-70643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33689]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-75-AD; Amendment 39-10960; AD 98-26-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This
AD requires accomplishing both a routine visual inspection and either a
detailed visual inspection or x-ray inspection of the main landing gear
(MLG) bay auxiliary spar booms for cracks or fuel leaks on both the
left and right sides of the airplane. This AD also requires obtaining
and incorporating repair procedures for the MLG bay auxiliary spar
where fuel leaks or cracks are found. 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
[[Page 70642]]
AD are intended to prevent wing failure caused by cracks or fuel leaks
in the area of the MLG bay auxiliary spar booms, which could result in
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective February 5, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 5, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888;
facsimile: (01292) 479703. This information may also be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-75-AD, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street, 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. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile:
(816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
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
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 13, 1998 (63 FR
54635). The NPRM proposed to require accomplishing both a routine
visual inspection and either a detailed visual inspection or x-ray
inspection of the MLG bay auxiliary spar booms for cracks or fuel leaks
on both the left and right sides of the airplane. The NPRM proposed to
also require obtaining and incorporating repair procedures for the MLG
bay auxiliary spar where fuel leaks or cracks are found. Accomplishment
of the proposed actions as specified in the NPRM would be required in
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 57-
A-JA 980441, ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 28, 1998, REVISION NO. 1: July 7,
1998.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United
Kingdom.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Compliance Time of This AD
Although the cracks on the MLG bay auxiliary spar booms could occur
as a result of repetitive airplane operation, the FAA believes that the
residual stresses in the component are originating from a manufacturing
fault during the machining/heat treatment stages. The cracks could
exist, but not be noticed, after just a few hours of airplane
operation. The stress incurred during flight operations or temperature
changes could then cause rapid crack growth. In order to assure that
even very small cracks in the MLG bay auxiliary spar booms do not go
undetected, the FAA is utilizing a compliance based on calendar time.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 124 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
Accomplishing the routine visual inspection required in this AD
will take approximately 1 workhour per airplane, at an average labor
rate of approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the routine visual inspection on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $7,440, or $60 per airplane.
Accomplishing the detailed visual inspection required in this AD
will take approximately 16 workhours per airplane, at an average labor
rate of $60 per hour. Accomplishing the x-ray inspection required in
this AD will take approximately 12 workhours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the detailed inspection on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $119,040, or $960 per airplane, and
$89,280, or $720 per airplane for the x-ray inspection.
These figures only take into account the costs of inspections and
do not take into account the costs for repairing any MLG bay auxiliary
spar boom where fuel leaks or cracks are found during the inspections.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-26-17 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10960; Docket No. 98-CE-
75-AD.
Applicability: Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For
[[Page 70643]]
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 (d) 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 the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request
should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent wing failure caused by cracks or fuel leaks in the
area of the main landing gear (MLG) bay auxiliary spar booms, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 45 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD, accomplish the following:
(1) Perform a routine visual inspection of the MLG bay auxiliary
spar booms for cracks or fuel leaks on both the left and right sides
of the airplane. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Part
1 of the Accomplishment Instructions section of British Aerospace
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441, Original Issue:
April 28, 1998, Revision No. 1: July 7, 1998.
(2) Perform either a detailed visual inspection or x-ray
inspection of the MLG bay auxiliary spar booms for cracks or fuel
leaks on both the left and right sides of the airplane. Accomplish
this inspection in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions section of British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441, Original Issue: April 28, 1998, Revision
No. 1: July 7, 1998.
(b) If cracks or leaks are found during any inspection required
by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, prior to further flight,
accomplish the following:
(1) Obtain repair instructions from the manufacturer through the
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in
paragraph (d) of this AD; and
(2) Incorporate these repair instructions.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to British
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441, Original
Issue: April 28, 1998, Revision No. 1: July 7, 1998, should be
directed to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone:
(01292) 479888; facsimile: (01292) 479703. This service information
may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin
57-A-JA 980441, Original Issue: April 28, 1998, Revision No. 1: July
7, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9
2RW, Scotland. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 001-
04-98, dated May 7, 1998.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on February 5, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 15, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33689 Filed 12-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P