[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12122]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-40-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream 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 a placard near 
the decouple control handle for the elevator control system to ensure 
that the pilots are made aware that maintenance action is required to 
reset the disconnect unit once the decouple control handle has been 
pulled. This proposal is prompted by a report that if the decouple 
control handle for the elevator control system is pulled, the lock 
linkage will remain unlocked until it is reset during maintenance. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced 
controllability of the airplane due to loss of the mechanical linkage 
between the pilots' elevator controls, and each pilot having control 
authority over only one-half of the elevator control system.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-40-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 94-NM-40-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. 94-NM-40-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 if the decouple control handle for the elevator 
control system is pulled, the lock linkage will remain unlocked until 
it is reset during maintenance. If the lock linkage remains unlocked, 
input given by each pilot into the elevator control will not be 
mechanically linked. Therefore, each pilot will have only about one-
half the normal elevator control authority when moving the elevator 
control. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.
    Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin J41-11-004, Revision 1, dated 
March 23, 1994, that describes procedures for installation of a placard 
on the left forward trim panel of the center console in line with the 
decouple control handle for the elevator control system. Installation 
of the placard will ensure that the pilots are made aware that 
maintenance action is required to reset the disconnect unit once the 
decouple control handle for the elevator control system has been 
pulled. 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 a 
placard on the left forward trim panel of the center console in line 
with the decouple control handle of the elevator. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $440, or $55 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 94-NM-40-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, constructors numbers 41004 
through 41024 inclusive, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 450 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, install a placard on the left forward trim panel of the 
center console in line with the decouple control handle for the 
elevator control system in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-11-004, Revision 1, dated March 23, 1994.
    (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, 
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.

    (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. Issued in Renton, 
Washington, on May 12, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12122 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U