[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43362-43363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18086]



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


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-125-AD; Amendment 39-9316; AD 95-15-11]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes. This action 
requires a visual inspection of the passenger seat belt assemblies to 
determine if certain seat belt shackles are installed, and replacement 
of those shackles with improved ones. This amendment is prompted by 
reports indicating that certain passenger seat belt shackles have 
failed. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
reduced effectiveness of the passenger safety restraint system during 
take-off and landing or in an emergency situation, due to failure of 
the passenger seat belt shackles.

DATES: Effective September 5, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of Octember 20, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, 
Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may be examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Dunn, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2799; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is 
the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Jetstream Model 
4101 airplanes. The CAA advises that reports have indicated that 
certain passenger seat belt shackles have failed. The reports indicate 
that the fork end of the shackles had become splayed, which contributed 
to the failures. This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the 
effectiveness of the passenger safety restraint system during take-off 
and landing or in an emergency situation, due to failure of the 
passenger seat belt shackles.
    Jetstream has issued Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-061, dated June 
6, 1995, which describes procedures for a visual inspection of the seat 
belt assemblies to determine if certain shackles have been installed, 
and replacement of those seat belt shackles with improved ones. The 
improved shackles are not subject to the reported failure problems. The 
CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. 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 that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent reduced 
effectiveness of the passenger safety restraint system during take-off 
and landing or in an emergency situation, due to failure of the 
passenger seat belt assemblies. This AD requires a visual inspection of 
the passenger seat belt assemblies to determine if certain seat belt 
shackles are installed, and replacement of those shackles with improved 
ones. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with 

[[Page 43363]]
the alert service bulletin described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-125-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-15-11 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9316. Docket 95-
NM-125-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, constructor numbers 41004 
through 41062 inclusive, 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 (b) 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced effectiveness of the passenger safety 
restraint system during take-off and landing, or in an emergency 
situation, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, visually 
inspect to determine if certain seat belt shackles are installed on 
the passenger seat assemblies, in accordance with Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A25-061, dated June 6, 1995.
    (1) If all seat belt shackles are constructed with pins that 
have a preformed head and a bulbous reaction-formed tail as 
illustrated in the alert service bulletin, no further action is 
required for this AD.
    (2) If any seat belt shackle is constructed with a swaged-end 
pin as illustrated in the alert service bulletin, prior to further 
flight, replace it with a new seat belt shackle in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (b) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-061, dated June 6, 
1995. 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, Inc., 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 5, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18086 Filed 8-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U