[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29979-29981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13623]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-CE-13-AD; Amendment 39-9256; AD 95-12-06]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (formerly 
British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft Limited) Jetstream Models 3101 and 
3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Jetstream Models 
3101 and 3201 airplanes. The action requires modifying the shear 
fitting at the top of each escape hatch. A report of interference 
between the shear fitting on an escape hatch and a ceiling panel found 
while removing the escape hatch on one of the affected airplanes 
prompted this AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent the inability to utilize an escape hatch during an emergency 
situation because of interference.

DATES: Effective July 24, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 24, 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 [[Page 29980]] (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. Sam Lovell, Project 
Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone 
(816) 426-6934; 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 Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on February 10, 1995 (60 FR 7921). The action proposed 
to require modifying the shear fitting at the top of each escape hatch. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service Bulletin 52-JM 
7752, dated December 17, 1991.
    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 related to the 
subject presented above, 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 and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Rework of existing parts costs 
approximately $165 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $41,400. This 
figure is based on the assumption that no affected owner/operator has 
accomplished the required modification. The FAA has no way of 
determining how many airplanes have incorporated this modification 
(reworked the existing parts), but anticipates that numerous operators 
have already reworked the existing parts. This would reduce the cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators.
    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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

95-12-06  Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9256; Docket No. 
92-CE-13-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (serial 
numbers 757 through 912), 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 (d) of this AD 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 within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent occupant injury during an emergency situation because 
of the inability to remove an escape hatch, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For both Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, modify the shear 
fitting at the top of the right-hand escape hatch in accordance with 
PART A of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream 
Service Bulletin (SB) 52-JM 7752, dated December 17, 1991.
    (b) For Model 3201 airplanes, modify the shear fitting at the 
top of the left-hand escape hatch in accordance with PART B of the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream SB 52-JM 7752, 
dated December 17, 1991.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, 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 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 modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream [[Page 29981]] Service Bulletin 52-JM 
7752, dated December 17, 1991. 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.
    (f) This amendment (39-9256) becomes effective on July 24, 1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 26, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-13623 Filed 6-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U