[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1583]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 25, 1994]


                                                    VOL. 59, NO. 16

                                          Tuesday, January 25, 1994
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-200-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 a visual inspection of an area 
beneath the flooring for foreign objects and debris, removal of any 
foreign object or debris found, and installation of a protective guard 
on the rear cabin attendant seat. This proposal would also require a 
revision to the FAA-approved maintenance program to include repetitive 
visual inspections of the area above the protective guard for foreign 
objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris found. 
This proposal is prompted by reports that foreign objects and debris 
have been found in the area around the elevator and rudder trim cables 
below the floor. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended 
to prevent foreign objects and debris from lodging in the control 
circuits and jamming the elevator and rudder trim systems.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-200-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-200-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-200-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 it has received reports that foreign objects and 
debris (in these cases, forks and crushed soft drink cans) have been 
found in the area around the elevator and rudder trim cables below the 
floor. The foreign objects and debris passed through a vent via a gap 
between the cushion and back of the rear cabin attendant seat. These 
foreign objects and debris can lodge in the elevator and rudder trim 
control circuits. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
jamming of the elevator and rudder trim systems.
    Jetstream has issued Series 4100 Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-
034, Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993, that describes procedures for 
a visual inspection of an area beneath the flooring for foreign objects 
and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris found. The 
alert service bulletin also describes procedures for installation of a 
protective guard on the rear cabin attendant seat. Installation of this 
guard will prevent any foreign object or debris from passing through 
the floor vent. In addition, the alert service bulletin describes 
procedures for revising regularly scheduled maintenance procedures to 
include repetitive visual inspections of the area above the protective 
guard for foreign objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object 
or debris found. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued CAA Airworthiness Directive 003-10-93 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 Section 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 a visual inspection 
of an area beneath the flooring for foreign objects and debris, removal 
of any foreign object or debris found, and installation of a protective 
guard on the rear cabin attendant seat. The proposed AD would also 
require a revision to the FAA-approved maintenance program to include 
repetitive visual inspections of the area above the protective guard 
for foreign objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or 
debris found. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 7 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 
supplied by the manfacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $770, 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 (44 FR 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 14 CFR 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-200-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes; constructors numbers 41004 
through 41023 inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent jamming of the elevator and rudder trim systems, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance 
with Jetstream Series 4100 Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-034, 
Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993.
    (1) Perform a visual inspection of the underfloor area for 
foreign objects and debris in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin. Prior to further flight, remove any foreign object or 
debris found during the inspection.
    (2) Install a protective guard on the rear cabin attendant seat 
in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (b) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the FAA-approved maintenance program to require repetitive visual 
inspections of the area above the protective guard for foreign 
objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris 
found, in accordance with the times and procedures specified in 
paragraph 2.C.(7) of Jetstream Series 4100 Alert Service Bulletin 
J41-A25-034, Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993, as applicable.
    (c) 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, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.

    (d) 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 January 20, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1583 Filed 1-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U