[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6397-6398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2404]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-13-AD; Amendment 39-9137; AD 95-02-19]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (formerly 
British Aerospace, Regional Airlines Limited) HP137 Mk1, Jetstream 
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 
200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This action requires 
repetitively inspecting the left and right pilot windscreens for poly 
vinyl butyrate (PVB) interlayer cracks, and replacing any windscreen 
that has a crack exceeding certain limits. Several reports of PVB 
interlayer cracking of pilot windscreens on the affected airplanes 
prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent such windscreen cracking, which, if not detected and corrected, 
could result in decompression injuries.

DATES: Effective March 10, 1995.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 10, 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 HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 
3101 and 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 14, 1994 (59 FR 52102). The action proposed to require 
repetitively inspecting the left and right pilot windscreens for PVB 
interlayer cracks, and replacing any windscreen that has a crack 
exceeding certain limits. The proposed action would be accomplished in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 56-JA 920843, Revision 1, 
dated December 16, 1993.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of 
the proposed rule and no comments were received on 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.
    The FAA estimates that 160 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,800. This 
figure does not take into account any possible window replacements or 
repetitive inspections. The FAA has no way of determining how many 
windscreens may have PVB interlayer cracks that exceed the limitations 
and would require replacement, or the number of repetitive inspections 
each owner/operator may incur.
    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 

[[Page 6398]]
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 a new AD to read as follows:

95-02-19 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9137; Docket No. 
94-CE-13-AD.

    Applicability: HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required within the next 300 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished, and thereafter as indicated.
    To prevent pilot windscreen poly vinyl butyrate (PVB) interlayer 
cracking, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
decompression injuries, accomplish the following:
    (a) Visually inspect the left and right windscreens for PVB 
interlayer cracks in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) 56-JA 92043, Revision No. 
1, dated December 16, 1993.
    (1) If any crack is found that is within the limits specified in 
Pilkington Aerospace SB No. 037-56-1001, Issue Date: October 21, 
1992, Revision 1: March 31, 1993, reinspect within the next 300 
hours TIS, and replace or reinspect the windscreen thereafter as 
applicable.
    (2) If any crack is found that exceeds the limits specified in 
Pilkington Aerospace SB No. 037-56-1001, Issue Date: October 21, 
1992, Revision 1: March 31, 1993, prior to further flight, replace 
the windscreen with a new windscreen and reinspect within the next 
2,400 hours TIS, and replace or reinspect the windscreen thereafter 
as applicable.
    (3) If no cracks are found, reinspect the windscreen within the 
next 2,400 hours TIS, and replace or reinspect the windscreen 
thereafter as applicable.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times 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, B-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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels ACO.

    (d) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 56-JA 920843, Revision 
No. 1, dated December 16, 1993. 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 20041-6029. 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9137) becomes effective on March 10, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 26, 1995.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-2404 Filed 2-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U