[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31178]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-25-AD; Amendment 39-9100; AD 94-26-04]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, that 
currently requires inspections to detect damage of the ball bearings in 
the aileron quadrants, replacement of damaged ball bearings with new 
ball bearings, and adjustment to the secondary stops. This amendment 
requires installation of new swivel bearings in the aileron quadrants, 
which, when accomplished, will terminate the inspection requirement. 
This amendment is prompted by the development of a modification that 
eliminates the need to inspect repetitively. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the bearings in the aileron 
quadrants, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective January 26, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
J41-A-27-026, Revision 2, dated January 17, 1994, and Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-27-027, dated January 17, 1994, is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of January 26, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 28, 1994 
(59 FR 11531, March 11, 1994).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Incorporated, P.O. Box 16029, Dulles 
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 93-25-10, 
Amendment 39-8849 (59 FR 11531, March 11, 1994), which is applicable to 
certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, was published in the Federal 
Register on May 4, 1994 (59 FR 23031). The action proposed to require 
installation of new swivel bearings in the left and right aileron 
quadrants (Modification JM41307A) as terminating action for the 
currently required inspections.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    The FAA has recently reviewed the figures it has used over the past 
several years in calculating the economic impact of AD activity. In 
order to account for various inflationary costs in the airline 
industry, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to increase the 
labor rate used in these calculations from $55 per work hour to $60 per 
work hour. The economic impact information, below has been revised to 
reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
    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. Under 
these circumstances, at least one operator appears to have incorrectly 
assumed that its airplane was not subject to an AD. On the contrary, 
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 
added to this final rule to clarify this requirement. The FAA has 
determined that this addition will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    The inspections that were previously required by AD 93-25-10, and 
retained in this amendment, take approximately 1 work hour per airplane 
to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of these inspection requirements 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480, or $60 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The adjustment to the secondary stops that were previously required 
by AD 93-25-10, and retained in this amendment, take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this 
adjustment requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480, or 
$60 per airplane. The FAA estimates that all affected U.S. operators 
have already accomplished this action; therefore, the future cost 
impact of this requirement is minimal.
    The installation of new swivel bearings (Modification JM41307A) 
that will be required by this amendment will take approximately 10 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no 
cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the modification requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $4,800, or $600 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8849 (59 FR 
11531, March 11, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-9100 to read as follows:

94-26-04 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9100. Docket 94-
NM-25-AD. Supersedes AD 93-25-10, Amendment 39-8849.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes having constructors numbers 
41004 and subsequent; on which Modification JM41307A or JM41307B has 
not been installed previously; 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 (e) 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 failure of the bearings in the aileron quadrants, 
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 7 days after March 28, 1994 (the effective date of AD 
93-25-10, Amendment 39-8849), perform a detailed visual inspection 
to detect damage of the bearings in the aileron quadrant in the 
pilot's and co-pilot's aileron control, in accordance with Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, 
dated December 7, 1993; or Revision 2, dated January 17, 1994.
    (1) If no damaged bearing is found, repeat the inspection, 
thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 7 days.
    (2) If any damaged bearing is found, prior to further flight, 
replace the damaged bearing with a new bearing in accordance with 
the service bulletin, and repeat the inspection, thereafter, at 
intervals not to exceed 7 days.
    Note 2: Paragraph (a) of this AD restates the requirement for an 
initial and repetitive inspections contained in paragraph (a) of AD 
93-25-10. Therefore, for operators that have previously accomplished 
at least the initial inspection in accordance with AD 93-25-10, 
paragraph (a) of this AD requires that the next scheduled inspection 
be performed within 7 days after the last inspection performed in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of AD 93-25-10.

    (b) Within 7 days after March 28, 1994 (the effective date of AD 
93-25-10, Amendment 39-8849), adjust the aileron secondary stop in 
the pilot's and co-pilot's aileron control system in accordance with 
Jetstream Aircraft Limited Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-026, 
Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993; or Revision 2, dated January 17, 
1994.
    Note 3: Paragraph (b) of this AD restates the requirement to 
adjust the aileron secondary stop contained in paragraph (b) of AD 
93-25-10. As allowed by the phrase ``unless accomplished 
previously,'' if that requirement of AD 93-25-10 has been 
accomplished previously, this AD does not require that it be 
repeated.

    (c) Within 7 days after March 28, 1994 (the effective date of AD 
93-25-10, Amendment 39-8849), revise the Abnormal Procedures Section 
of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the 
following. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD 
in the AFM:
    ``Where abnormal aileron control backlash is experienced by one 
pilot, the other pilot should assume control of the aircraft without 
using the disconnect facility. The disconnect facility should only 
be used in accordance with published procedures in cases of control 
restrictions or jamming.''
    Note 4: Paragraph (c) of this AD restates the requirement for an 
AFM revision contained in paragraph (c) of AD 93-25-10. As allowed 
by the phrase ``unless accomplished previously,'' if that 
requirement of AD 93-25-10 has been accomplished previously, this AD 
does not require that it be repeated.

     -(d) Within 180 hours time-in-service after the effective date 
of this AD, install new swivel bearings in the left and right 
aileron quadrants (Modification JM41307A) in accordance with 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-027, dated January 17, 1994. 
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action 
for the requirements of this AD. The AFM revision required by 
paragraph (c) of this AD may be removed following accomplishment of 
this modification.
    (e) 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 5: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

     -(f) 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. -
    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-27-027, dated January 17, 1994; and Jetstream 
Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 
1993, or Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-026, Revision 2, 
dated January 17, 1994, as applicable. Revision 2 of Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A-27-026 contains the following list of 
effective pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Revision level                              
         Service bulletin referenced and date           Page No.     shown on page        Date shown on page    
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J41-A-27-026.........................................    1-3               2         January 17, 1994.          
Revision 2                                                                                                      
January 17, 1994.....................................    4-9               1         December 7, 1993.          
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    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51 as of March 28, 
1994 (59 FR 11531, March 11, 1994). The incorporation by reference 
of the remainder of the service bulletins listed above is 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, Incorporated, 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. -
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on January 26, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-31178 Filed 12-23-94; 8:45 am]
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