[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39243-39245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18712]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-09-AD; Amendment 39-9326; AD 95-16-06]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited HP137 Mk1 
and Jetstream Series 200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 83-05-
01, which currently requires the following on Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited (JAL) HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream series 200 airplanes: 
repetitively inspecting the wing lower skin panels at the main gear bay 
cutouts for loose or damaged rivets and cracks, replacing loose or 
damaged rivets, and repairing any cracked wing lower skin panel. The 
Federal Aviation Administration's policy on commuter-class aircraft is 
to eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of certain 
repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or 
modifications are available. The proposed action would require 
reinforcing the wing lower skin at both the landing gear cutouts at 
Wing Station (WS) 115 and the undercarriage bay cutouts at WS 60 and WS 
90, as terminating action for the repetitive inspections that are 
currently required by AD 83-05-01. The actions specified in the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent wing damage caused by cracks or 
loose or damaged rivets in the wing lower skin panels, which, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in structural damage to the point 
of failure.

DATES: Effective September 26, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 26, 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., 

[[Page 39244]]
Librarian, P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, 
D.C. 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, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-09-AD, 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. Marvin R. Nuss, 
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64105; 
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 JAL HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream series 200 airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on March 2, 1995 (60 FR 11637). The action 
proposed to supersede AD 83-05-01 with a new AD that would (1) retain 
the requirements of repetitively inspecting the wing lower skin panels 
at the main gear bay cutouts for loose or damaged rivets and cracks, 
replacing loose or damaged rivets, and repairing any cracked wing lower 
skin panel; and (2) require reinforcing the wing lower skin 
(incorporation of Modifications Nos. 5221 and 5146) as terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections. The proposed inspection would be 
accomplished in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) No. 7/
3, dated October 1980. Modification 5221 would be accomplished in 
accordance with Jetstream SB 57-JM5221, dated September 28, 1984, and 
Modification 5146 would be accomplished in accordance with Part 2 of 
Modification No. 5146 Ref 7/5146, dated October 1984.
    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 this AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 332 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modifications (172 work hours for 
Modification 5221 and 160 work hours for Modification 5146), and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $12,000 per airplane ($2,400 for Modification 5221 and 
$9,600 for Modification 5146). Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $319,200 
($31,920 per airplane).
    All 10 of the affected airplanes are HP137 Mk1 airplanes; there are 
no Jetstream series 200 airplanes registered in the United States, but 
they are type certificated for operation in the United States. 
According to FAA records, none of these HP137 Mk1 airplanes are in 
operation. JAL no longer stocks Modification No. 5221, but can develop 
modification kits within three months after order. Since there are no 
airplanes currently in operation, the cost impact of this AD is 
narrowed to only those owners/operators returning their airplane to 
operation.
    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. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 83-05-01, Amendment 39-
4573, and adding a new AD to read as follows:

95-16-06.  Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9326; Docket No. 
95-CE-09-AD; Supersedes AD 83-05-01, Amendment 39-4573;

    Applicability: HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream series 200 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 (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 as indicated after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent wing damage caused by cracks or loose or damaged 
rivets in the wing lower skin panels, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in structural damage to the point of 
failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Upon the accumulation of 6,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished (compliance 
with superseded AD 83-05-01), and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours TIS until the modifications required by paragraphs 
(b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD are incorporated, accomplish the 
following:
    (1) Inspect the wing lower skin between Wing Station (WS) 60 and 
WS 115 for loose or damaged rivets or cracks in accordance with 
section 3. ACTION, paragraphs (a) 

[[Page 39245]]
through (e), of Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) No. 7/3, dated October 
1980.
    (2) Replace any loose or damaged rivets and repair any cracked 
wing lower skin panel in accordance with section 3. ACTION, 
paragraphs (f) through (k), of Jetstream SB No. 7/3, dated October 
1980.
    (b) Upon the accumulation of 10,000 hours TIS or within the next 
100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, accomplish the following:
    (1) Reinforce the wing lower skin at the landing gear bay 
cutouts at WS 115 in accordance with Jetstream SB 57-JM5221, dated 
September 28, 1984. This is referred to as Modification 5221.
    (2) Reinforce the wing lower skin at undercarriage bay cutouts 
between WS 60 and WS 90 in accordance with Part 2 of Modification 
No. 5146 Ref. 7/5146, dated October 1984.
    (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 
compliance time 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 shall 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 Aircraft Certification Office.

    (e) The inspections and replacements required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 7/3, dated 
October 1980. The reinforcements required by this AD shall be done 
in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 57-JM5221, dated 
September 28, 1984, or Modification No. 5146 Ref. 7/5146, dated 
October 1984, as applicable. 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; 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. 
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., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9326) supersedes AD 83-05-01, Amendment 
39-4573.
    (g) This amendment (39-9326) becomes effective on September 26, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 24, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18712 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U