[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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Revision                               
             Pages                level                 Date            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 through 6 and 9 through 16..  2........  December 21, 1993.           
7, 8, and 17 through 28.......  Original   September 2, 1992.           
                                 Issue.                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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