[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29918]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-199-AD; Amendment 39-9086; AD 94-25-02]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream 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 Jetstream Model ATP airplanes. This action 
requires inspections to detect cracking in certain oil coolers, and 
replacement of cracked coolers with serviceable coolers. The amendment 
also provides for termination of the inspections by installing certain 
reworked and re-identified oil coolers. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of cracking in the welded seams of certain oil coolers. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent loss of engine oil 
due to cracking in the oil cooler, which may lead to a forced shutdown 
of the engine.

DATES: Effective December 22, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 22, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-199-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. 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 Jetstream Model 
ATP airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received reports of cracking 
in the welded seams of certain engine oil coolers that are cooled by 
ram air. Investigation revealed that these oil coolers were welded 
incorrectly during the manufacturing process. These defective welds 
have been isolated to oil coolers manufactured by Normalair-Garrett 
Limited and having part numbers (P/N) 8248C000, 8439C000, and 8714C000. 
Such cracking, if not corrected, could result in loss of engine oil, 
which may lead to a forced shutdown of the engine.
    Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 
1994, which describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual 
inspections to detect cracking in certain engine oil coolers that are 
cooled by ram air. This service bulletin also describes procedures for 
replacement of cracked oil coolers with serviceable oil coolers. The 
CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
    Jetstream has also issued Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, dated 
September 4, 1994, which describes procedures for rework and re-
identification of oil coolers having P/N's 8248C000, 8439C000, and 
8714C000, that are manufactured by Normalair-Garrett Limited.
    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 (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 loss of engine 
oil that may lead to a forced shutdown of the engine. This AD requires 
repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect cracking in oil 
coolers having P/N 8248C000, 8439C000, or 8714C000, and replacement of 
cracked oil coolers with serviceable oil coolers. Installation of oil 
coolers that have been reworked and re-identified terminates the 
requirement for repetitive detailed visual inspections. The actions are 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins 
described previously.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been included in this final rule to clarify this requirement.
    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 rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-199-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 that it 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 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-25-02  Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9086. Docket 94-NM-199-
AD.

    Applicability: Model ATP airplanes having constructor's numbers 
2002 through 2063, inclusive; and equipped with Normalair-Garrett 
Limited oil coolers having part number 8248C000, 8439C000, or 
8714C000; certificated in any category.

    -Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of engine oil that may lead to a forced shutdown 
of the engine, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total landings on the 
engine oil cooler that is cooled by ram air on the left and right 
engine, or within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual 
inspection to detect cracking in the oil cooler, in accordance with 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 1994.
    (1) If no cracking is detected, repeat this inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 75 hours time-in-service.
    (2) If any cracking is detected, prior to further flight, 
replace the oil cooler with a serviceable oil cooler having either 
part number (P/N) 8439C000-002 or 8714C000-002, in accordance with 
British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 1994, 
or with an oil cooler than has been reworked and re-identified in 
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, 
dated September 4, 1994.
    (b) Installation of an oil cooler that has been reworked and re-
identified as either P/N 8714C000-002 or 8439C000-002, in accordance 
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, dated 
September 4, 1994, constitutes terminating action for the inspection 
requirements of this AD.

    Note 2: Reworked oil coolers have an initial life limit of 9,000 
landings. This life limit and any changes to it are specified in the 
Limitations Section in Chapter 5 of the ATP 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 3: 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 
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.
    (e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 1994, and the rework 
and re-identification shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, dated September 4, 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. 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 December 22, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 1994.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29918 Filed 12-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U