[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4275]


[Federal Register: February 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-16-AD; Amendment 39-8841; AD 94-05-03]


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model ATP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain British Aerospace Model ATP airplanes. This 
action requires inspections to detect damaged main landing gear (MLG) 
wheel bearings and replacement of discrepant parts. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of failure of the MLG wheel bearings. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent detachment of a MLG wheel 
from the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 15, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 15, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 29, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-16-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: 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 British Aerospace 
Model ATP airplanes. The CAA advises that reports have been received of 
failure of the main landing gear (MLG) wheel bearings on Model ATP 
airplanes. Investigations are under way to determine the cause of these 
failures. This condition, if not corrected, could result in detachment 
of a MLG wheel from the airplane.
    Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated 
January 28, 1994, that describes procedures for performing daily and 
pre-flight detailed visual inspections to detect damage or 
discoloration of the main wheel hub caps and of the outer side of the 
inflation valve side hubs on the MLG wheels. (This service bulletin 
references Dunlop Service Bulletin AHA 1663-32-1088, Revision 1, dated 
January 13, 1994, as the appropriate source of service information.) 
The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued CAA 
Airworthiness Directive 007-12-93, dated December 22, 1993, 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 (FAR) (14 
CFR 21.29) 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, this AD is being issued to prevent failure of the 
MLG wheel bearings, which could result in detachment of the MLG wheel 
from the airplane. This AD requires daily and pre-flight detailed 
visual inspections to detect damage or discoloration of the main wheel 
hub caps and of the outer side of the inflation valve side hubs on the 
MLG wheels. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the Jetstream service bulletin described previously.
    This AD also requires replacement of the entire MLG wheel assembly 
and bearings with a serviceable wheel assembly and bearings, if any 
damage or discoloration is detected during any inspection. The 
replacement is required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
airplane maintenance manual.
    Operators should note that, although Jetstream Service Bulletin 
ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994, specifies that certain 
pilots may perform both the daily and pre-flight inspections, it is the 
FAA's determination that both inspections must be performed by 
appropriately certificated maintenance personnel, as specified in 
Sec. 43.3 of the FAR (14 CFR 43.3).
    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ``ADDRESSES.'' 
All communications received on or before the closing date for comments 
will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the 
comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's 
ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the 
effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed. -
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD 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 94-NM-16-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may 
be obtained from 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 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:

94-05-03  British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft), Limited: 
Amendment 39-8841. Docket 94-NM-16-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATP series airplanes; constructor's numbers 
2001 through 2063 inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the main landing gear (MLG) wheel 
bearings, which could result in detachment of a MLG wheel from the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 24 hours after the effective date of this AD, perform 
cleaning and a detailed visual inspection to detect damage or 
discoloration of the wheel hub caps and of the outer side of the 
inflation valve side hubs on the MLG wheels, in accordance with 
paragraph 2.A.(1) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream 
Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994. 
Thereafter, prior to the first flight of each day, repeat this 
cleaning and inspection. The cleaning and inspection must be 
performed by appropriately certificated maintenance personnel as 
specified in Sec. 43.3 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). If 
any damage or discoloration is found during any inspection required 
by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the existing MLG 
wheel assembly and bearings with a serviceable wheel assembly and 
bearings in accordance with the airplane maintenance manual. -
    (b) Following accomplishment of the initial inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to each flight, with the 
exception of the first flight of each day, perform a pre-flight 
detailed visual inspection to detect damage or heat discoloration of 
the wheel hub cap and the outer side of each inflation valve side 
hub on the MLG wheels, in accordance with paragraph 2.A.(2) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, 
Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994. The pre-flight inspections must 
be performed by appropriately certificated maintenance personnel, as 
specified in Sec. 43.3 of the FAR. If any damage or discoloration is 
found during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to 
further flight, replace the existing MLG wheel assembly and bearings 
with a serviceable wheel assembly and bearings in accordance with 
the airplane maintenance manual.
    (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 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (e) The cleaning and inspections shall be done in accordance 
with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 
28, 1994. 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 Jetstream Aircraft, 
Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 
20041-6029. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 15, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 18, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-4275 Filed 2-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U