[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14588-14589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7381]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-91-AD; Amendment 39-11094; AD 99-07-09]
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 certain British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes.
This AD requires replacing the nose landing gear downlock actuator, the
flap actuator, the steering selector valve, the hydraulic reservoir,
and the emergency selector valve. 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 internal corrosion of the hydraulic components on
airplanes where these components were exposed to water contamination,
which could result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 10, 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-91-AD, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
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 certain British
Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 8, 1998
(63 FR 67633). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the nose landing
gear downlock actuator, the flap actuator, the steering selector valve,
the hydraulic reservoir, and the emergency selector valve.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be
in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue:
February 4, 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.
Since the issuance of the NPRM, British Aerospace has revised
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue:
February 4, 1998 (Revision No. 1: January 27, 1999). This service
bulletin revision only corrects reference to parts, clarifies certain
aspects of the subjects, and incorporates procedural changes. In
addition, the service bulletins (both the original issue and Revision
No. 1) only specify the replacements. The procedures for accomplishing
the work are included in the maintenance manual.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined:
--That referencing the revised service information in the AD would not
add any additional burden upon the public than was originally proposed;
and
--That air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the
rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections.
Compliance Time of This AD
The compliance time of this AD is presented in both calendar time
and hours time-in-service (TIS). Corrosion could occur on the hydraulic
system components and then either continue to deteriorate the part over
time regardless of airplane operation or develop into stress cracks
over time based on airplane operation. In order to assure that this
condition does not go undetected, a compliance time of specific hours
TIS and calendar time is utilized.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 33 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts to accomplish the replacements cost
approximately $46,636. (Overhauled or repaired parts are available from
the agencies of equipment manufacturers or from the aircraft
manufacturer's agency). Based on these figures, the total cost impact
of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $437,544, or $48,616
per airplane.
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
[[Page 14589]]
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, 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:
99-07-09 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11094; Docket No. 98-
CE-91-AD.
Applicability: Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, constructor
numbers 841, 842, 844 through 848, 851, 853 through 855, 857, 859
through 862, and 864; 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 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 (c) 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 at whichever of the following occurs later,
unless already accomplished:
1. Upon accumulating 8,000 landings on the airplane or within 5
years since the last time the hydraulic system components were
replaced (see paragraph (a) of this AD for listing of components),
whichever occurs first; or
2. Within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD.
Note 2: If the number of landings is unknown, hours time-in-
service (TIS) may be used by dividing 8,000 by 0.75. If hours TIS
are utilized to calculate the number of landings, this would
calculate the 8,000 landings compliance time to 10,667 hours TIS.
To prevent internal corrosion of the hydraulic components on
airplanes where these components were exposed to water
contamination, which could result in reduced or loss of control of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the following critical components of the hydraulic
system, in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as
specified in Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940,
Original Issue: February 4, 1998, or Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue: February 4, 1998, Revision
No. 1: January 27, 1999:
(1) The nose landing gear downlock actuator;
(2) The flap actuator;
(3) The steering selector valve;
(4) The hydraulic reservoir; and
(5) The emergency selector valve.
Note 3: The FAA highly recommends replacing the hydraulic fluid
while these system components are being replaced, as specified in
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue:
February 4, 1998, or Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA
970940, Original Issue: February 4, 1998, Revision No. 1: January
27, 1999.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
(c) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to British
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original
Issue: February 4, 1998, or Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA
970940, Original Issue: February 4, 1998, Revision No. 1: January
27, 1999, 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.
Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 001-
02-98, not dated.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7381 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U