[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52870-52872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25159]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-71-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise an existing airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes,
that currently requires repetitive inspections to detect damage to the
overwing fairings, and replacement or repair of structurally damaged
fairings. That AD was prompted by a report indicating that an overwing
fairing detached from an airplane. The actions specified by that AD are
intended to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane due to loss
of an overwing fairing. This action would add an optional terminating
action for the currently required inspections, and would limit the
applicability of the rule.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 20, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-71-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.
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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 95-NM-71-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-NM-71-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On November 22, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-24-09, amendment 39-9082
(59 FR 60891, November 29, 1994), applicable to certain Jetstream Model
4101 airplanes, to require repetitive inspections to detect damage to
the overwing fairings, and replacement or repair of structurally
damaged fairings. That AD was prompted by a report that an overwing
fairing detached from an airplane. The actions specified by that AD are
intended to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane due to loss
of an overwing fairing.
Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has developed a
modification which, if installed on the airplane, will eliminate the
need for the repetitive inspections of the overwing fairings. This
modification (Modification No. JM41392) is described in Jetstream Alert
Service Bulletin J41-53-031, dated November 22, 1994. It entails the
installation of a new fairing that has stronger stiffeners and has one
additional stiffener and an access panel. The Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom,
classified this service bulletin as optional.
Additionally, Jetstream has issued Alert Service Bulletin J41-53-
028, Revision 2, dated January 17, 1995, which describes procedures for
conducting detailed visual inspections to detect structural damage
(such as creasing, cracking, or holes) in the left (Part 1) and right
(Part 2) overwing fairings, and repair or replacement of creased or
cracked fairings with new or serviceable fairings. Revision 1 of this
service bulletin was cited in AD 94-24-09 as the appropriate source of
service information for performing these inspections and repairs.
Information contained in Revision 2 of this service bulletin is
essentially the same as that contained in Revision 1; however, the
effectivity listing has been revised to indicate that the inspections
are applicable only to airplanes on which Modification JM41392 has not
been installed in production or in accordance with Jetstream Service
Bulletin J41-53-031. The CAA classified this service bulletin as
mandatory.
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. 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
[[Page 52871]]
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, the proposed AD would revise AD 94-24-09 to
continue to require repetitive inspections to detect damage to the
overwing fairings, and replacement or repair of structurally damaged
fairings. The proposed AD would reference Revision 2 of Jetstream Alert
Service Bulletin J41-53-028 as an additional source of service
information for performing these required actions.
This proposed AD would provide for an optional terminating action
for the repetitive inspections, consisting of the installation of
Modification JM41392 (improved wing-to-fuselage fairings). If this
optional modification is installed, it would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-53-031,
described previously. The FAA is not proposing to mandate the
installation of this modification for several reasons:
1. The repair of cracked original fairings in accordance with the
procedures specified in Service Bulletin J41-53-028 and the existing AD
greatly reduces the probability of additional cracking. Further,
subsequent to such repair, inspections of the area would continue to be
required.
2. Accessing the wing-to-fuselage fairing area for inspection is
easily accomplished.
3. The subject damage is easily detectable by means of a visual
inspection.
4. The failure of a fairing may adversely affect the
controllability of the airplane temporarily; however, it likely will
not result in catastrophic loss of the airplane.
The applicability of the proposed AD has been revised to include
only those airplanes on which Modification JM41392 has not been
installed (either in production or in accordance with Jetstream Service
Bulletin J41-53-031).
The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The inspections currently required by AD 94-24-09 take
approximately 0.25 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the current inspection requirements of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $210, or $15 per airplane, per inspection.
Should an operator elect to install the optional terminating
modification, it would take approximately 20 work hours to accomplish,
at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $7,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of this proposed optional terminating modification on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,500 per airplane.
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 proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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, 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9082 (59 FR
60891, November 29, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 95-NM-71-AD. Revises AD 94-24-09,
amendment 39-9082.
Applicability: Model 4102 airplanes; constructor's number 41004
and subsequent; on which Modification JM41392 has not been installed
(either during production or in accordance with Jetstream Service
Bulletin J41-53-031); certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 7 days after December 14, 1994 (the effective date of
AD 94-24-09, amendment 39-9082), perform a detailed visual
inspection to detect structural damage (such as creasing, cracking,
or holes) to the left (Part 1) and right (Part 2) overwing fairings,
in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-53-028,
Revision 1, dated October 12, 1994; or Revision 2, dated January17,
1995.
(1) If no structural damage is detected, repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7 days.
(2) If creasing or cracking is detected, prior to further
flight, inspect and repair it, in accordance with the alert service
bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 300 hours time-in-service.
Note 2: Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-53-028 references
British Aerospace Public Limited Company Drawing 141R0700, Issue 3,
dated September 14, 1994, and British Aerospace Public Limited
Company Drawing 141R0705, Issue 2, dated September 22, 1994, for
repair and inspection procedures.
(3) If holes are detected, prior to further flight, repair in
accordance with the Jetstream Series 4100 Structural Repair Manual.
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300
hours time-in-service.
(b) Installation of Modification No. JM41392, Parts 1 and 2, in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-53-031, dated
November 22, 1994, constitutes terminating action for the
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c) 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
[[Page 52872]]
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 4: Alternative methods of compliance previously granted for
amendment AD 94-24-09, amendment 39-9082, continue to be considered
as acceptable alternative methods of compliance with this amendment.
(d) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25159 Filed 10-10-95; 8:45 am]
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