[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 25, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37966-37968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18184]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-27-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited HP137 Mk1, 
Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) HP137 Mk1, 
Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. The 
proposed action would require inspecting (one-time) the threaded 
portion of the aileron mounting spigots for cracks, replacing any 
cracked spigots, and replacing the securing nut assemblies with newly 
designed special nut assemblies and new split pins. The proposed action 
is prompted by reports of cracked mounting spigots caused by stress 
corrosion. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent damage to the aileron control systems, which if not detected 
and corrected, could cause loss of lateral control and eventual loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 29, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-27-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Prestwick International 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, D.C. 20041-6029; telephone 
(703) 406-1161; facsimile (703) 406-1469. This information also may be 
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Raymond A. Stoer, Program Officer, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East 

[[Page 37967]]
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 64105; telephone (816) 426-
6934; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 95-CE-27-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-27-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on JAL HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and 
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. The CAA advises that damage 
to the aileron mounting spigot could occur when removing the securing 
nut assemblies during servicing. The damage is from stress corrosion 
caused by a combination of the torque load required to align the split 
pin holes and the dissimilar materials of the securing nuts and the 
mounting spigots and could result in damage to the aileron control 
system. Damage to the aileron control systems, if not detected and 
corrected, could cause loss of lateral control and loss of control of 
the airplane.
    JAL has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) 57-JA 921140, which 
incorporates the following pages and revision levels:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Pages                 Revision level          Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14....  Original Issue..  February 24, 1993.
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 11.............  Revision 1......  February 3, 1994. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This SB specifies procedures for inspecting the mounting spigots 
using both visual and fluorescent dye penetrant methods, and replacing 
the existing securing nut assemblies and split pins with newly designed 
special nut assemblies, and new split pins.
    In order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in the United Kingdom, the CAA classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory. The CAA classifying a service document as mandatory is the 
same for airplanes registered in the United Kingdom as the FAA issuing 
an AD for airplanes registered in the United States.
    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 between the 
United States and the United Kingdom. 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 and is likely to 
exist or develop in other JAL HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and 
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes of the same type design, the 
proposed AD would require inspecting (using both visual and fluorescent 
dye penetrant methods) the mounting spigots for cracks; replacing any 
cracked spigots; and replacing the securing nut assemblies with newly 
designed special nut assemblies and new split pins to prevent future 
damage to the spigots.
    The FAA estimates that 160 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 22 hours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the owners/operators. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $211,200 or $1,320 per airplane. This figure is based 
on the assumption that no owner/operators has accomplished the proposed 
inspection and modification.
    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a 
calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because the 
unsafe condition described by this AD is caused by stress corrosion. 
Stress corrosion initiates as a result of airplane operation, but can 
continue to develop regardless of whether the airplane is in service or 
in storage. Therefore, to ensure that the above-referenced condition is 
detected and corrected on all airplanes within a reasonable period of 
time without inadvertently grounding any airplanes, a compliance 
schedule based upon calendar time instead of hours TIS is required.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of 
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES. 

[[Page 37968]]


List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket No. 95-CE-27-AD.

    Applicability: HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (all serial numbers), 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) 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 6 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent damage to the aileron control systems, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Inspect the mounting spigots for cracks using both visual 
and fluorescent dye penetrant methods in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of Jetstream Service Bulletin 
(SB) 57-JA 921140, which incorporates the following pages and 
revision levels:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Pages                 Revision level          Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14.....  Original Issue..  February 24, 1993.
1, 2, 3, 6 7, and 11..............  Revision 1......  February 3, 1994. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Prior to further flight, replace any cracked spigots with 
applicable parts specified in the Parts Table in paragraph 5 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of Jetstream SB 57-JA 921140.
    (2) Prior to further flight, replace the securing nut assemblies 
and split pins with new special nut assemblies, (Part No. SL45022 
(Qty. 2)), and new split pins (Part No. SP90-C8 and SP90-C6), in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Jetstream 
SB 57-JA 921140. This replacement is required regardless of the 
results of the inspection required in paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (b) 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.
    (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, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, 
c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Office.

    (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request from Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited, Prestwick International 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, D.C. 20041-6029; telephone (703) 
406-1161; facsimile (703) 406-1469; or may examine this document at 
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 18, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18184 Filed 7-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U