[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63411-63412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30133]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-26-AD; Amendment 39-9442; AD 95-24-12]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Model 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 Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Model 3201 airplanes. This 
action requires repetitively inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) bay 
forward lower edge wing skin structure for cracks, replacing any 
cracked doubler with a joggled doubler of improved design to reinforce 
the area and prevent future cracking, and eventually incorporating 
these doublers on all affected airplanes. Cracking found at the MLG bay 
forward lower edge wing skin structure during fatigue testing of the 
JAL Model 3201 prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent the MLG bay forward lower edge wing skin 
structure from cracking, which, if not detected and corrected, could 
cause failure of the wing structure and loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective January 17, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 17, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 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, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-
26-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: Ms. Dorenda Baker, Program Officer, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(322) 508.2715; 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) 426-6932; 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 Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Model 3201 airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on August 14, 1995 (60 FR 41868). The action 
proposed to require repetitively inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) 
bay forward lower edge wing skin structure for cracks, replacing any 
cracked doubler with a joggled doubler of improved design to reinforce 
the area and prevent future cracking, and eventually incorporating 
these doublers on all affected airplanes. Accomplishment of the 
proposed action would be in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 
(SB) 57-A-JA920540; Original Issue September 1, 1992.
    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 134 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 35 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required 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 this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $281,400. This figure is based on the assumption that 
all of the affected airplanes do not have the new joggled doublers 
installed and that none of the owners/operators of the affected 
airplanes have replaced the doublers. The FAA has no way of determining 
the number of repetitive inspections an owner/operator may incur.
    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 

[[Page 63412]]
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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

AD No. 95-24-12. Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9442; 
Docket No. 95-CE-26-AD.

    Applicability: Model 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent the main landing gear (MLG) bay forward lower edge 
wing skin structure from cracking, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could cause failure of the wing structure and loss of 
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Upon accumulating 4,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 
within the next 200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG bay forward lower edge wing 
skin structure adjacent to the main spar for cracks in accordance 
with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service 
Bulletin (SB) 57-A-JA920540, Original Issue September 1, 1992.
    (1) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
existing doublers with joggled doublers of improved design in 
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream 
SB 57-A-JA920540, Original Issue September 1, 1992.
    (2) If no cracks are found, re-inspect the MLG bay forward lower 
edge wing skin structure at intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS 
until modified as specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (b) Upon accumulating 9,000 hours TIS or within the next 200 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, unless already accomplished as specified in paragraph (a)(1) 
of this AD, replace the existing doublers with joggled doublers of 
improved design in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of Jetstream SB 57-A-JA920540.
    (c) Replacing the joggled doublers as required by paragraph 
(a)(1) or (b) of this AD eliminates the repetitive inspection 
requirements of this AD.
    (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.
    (e) 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.

    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.

    (f) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with SB 57-A-JA920540, Original Issue September 
1, 1992. 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, Prestwick International 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., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment (39-9442) becomes effective on January 9, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 1995.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30133 Filed 12-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U