[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28631]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 2, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-9074; AD 94-24-01]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly
British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft Limited) HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 87-04-
04 and AD 89-16-02, which currently require the following on Jetstream
Aircraft Limited (JAL) HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes: repetitively inspecting the universal
joints and universal rivets, replacing any damaged part, and limiting
the in-service life of the torque tube shaft assembly. JAL has
introduced an improved flap torque tube shaft assembly that includes
universal joints that are not life limited. The Federal Aviation
Administration's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft is to
eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of certain
repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or
modifications are available. This action requires installing this
improved flap torque shaft assembly in place of the repetitive
inspection and life limit requirements of the two existing AD's. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
flap torque assembly, which could result in asymmetric flap deployment
and loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective December 1, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 1, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW Scotland; telephone (44-292) 79888;
facsimile (44-292) 79703; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O.
Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC, 20041-6029;
telephone (703) 406-1161; facsimile (703) 406-1469. This information
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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. Raymond A. Stoer, Program Officer,
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone
(322) 513.3830; facsimile (322) 230.6899; or Mr. John P. Dow, Sr.,
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply
to certain JAL HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models
3101 and 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July
12, 1994 (59 FR 35490). The action proposed to supersede both AD 87-04-
04 and AD 89-16-02 with a new AD that would require installing this
improved flap torque shaft assembly in place of the repetitive
inspection and life limit requirements of the two existing AD's. The
proposed actions would be accomplished in accordance with Jetstream
Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin No. 27-JA 920340.
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.
After careful review of all available information, 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 nor add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed.
This action is based on the FAA's aging commuter-class aircraft
policy. This policy simply states that airplane owners/operators should
incorporate a known design change when it could eliminate, or, in
certain instances, reduce the number of critical repetitive
inspections.
This final rule action has an effective date of approximately 12
months after publication in the Federal Register and a compliance time
of 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date. This will allow
operators time to schedule the flap torque shaft assembly replacement.
The requirements of AD 87-04-04 and AD 89-16-02 will still apply until
the effective date of this AD or until the installation or modification
required by this AD is accomplished, whichever occurs first.
The FAA estimates that 245 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 31 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,010 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $665,175. This figure is based on the
assumption that no affected airplane operator has accomplished the
required actions. In addition, this action eliminates the need for the
repetitive inspections required by AD 87-04-04 and AD 89-16-02. The FAA
has no way of determining the operation levels of each individual
operator of the affected airplanes, and subsequently cannot determine
the repetitive inspection costs that will be eliminated by the required
action. The FAA estimates these costs to be substantial over the long-
term.
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. 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 removing both AD 87-04-04, Amendment
39-5529, and AD 89-16-02, Amendment 39-6273, and by adding a new
airworthiness directive to read as follows:
94-24-01 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9074; Docket No.
94-CE-02-AD. Supersedes AD 87-04-04, Amendment 39-5529, and AD 89-
16-02, Amendment 39-6273.
Applicability: HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent failure of the flap torque shaft assembly, which
could result in asymmetric flap deployment and loss of control of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
Note 1: The effective date of this AD is more than 12 months
after the issue date of this AD. This will allow operators time to
schedule the flap torque shaft assembly replacement. The
requirements of AD 87-04-04 and AD 89-16-02 will apply until the
effective date of this AD or until the installation or modification
specified by paragraph (a) of this AD is accomplished, whichever
occurs first.
(a) Install an improved torque shaft assembly in accordance with
Part 1 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream
Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin (SB) No. 27-JA 920340; or modify
the existing torque shaft assembly in accordance with Part 2 of the
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Aircraft Limited SB
No. 27-JA 920340, which incorporates the following pages:
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Revision
Pages level Date
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1 through 6 and 9 through 16.. 2........ December 21, 1993.
7, 8, and 17 through 28....... Original September 2, 1992.
Issue.
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(b) The life limit requirements of the torque tube shaft
assembly required by AD 87-04-04, and the repetitive inspections of
the universal joints and universal joint rivets required by AD 89-
16-02 remain mandatory until the effective date of this AD or upon
accomplishing the installation or modification referenced by
paragraph (a) of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(c) 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.
(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, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA, c/o American
Embassy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request should be forwarded
through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Brussels ACO.
(e) The installation or modification required by this AD shall
be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 27-JA
920340:
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Revision
Pages level Date
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1 through 6 and 9 through 16.. 2........ December 21, 1993.
7, 8, and 17 through 28....... Original September 2, 1992.
Issue.
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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 Limited,
Manager Product Support, Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW
Scotland; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. Box 16029,
Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
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.
(f) This amendment (39-9074) supersedes both AD 87-04-04,
Amendment 39-5529, and AD 89-16-02, Amendment 39-6273.
(g) This amendment (39-9074) becomes effective on December 1,
1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 15, 1994.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28631 Filed 12-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U