[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5280-5281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1519]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-238-AD; Amendment 39-9503; AD 96-03-06]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream ATP Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Jetstream ATP airplanes, that requires
inspections to detect fatigue cracking and corrosion in the gussets of
the rear passenger door and rear baggage door apertures, and
replacement of the gussets, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by
fatigue tests which indicated that fatigue cracking and corrosion can
occur in these gussets. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent degradation of the structural integrity of the fuselage
pressure vessel due to the problems associated with cracking and
corrosion in the gussets of the rear passenger door and rear baggage
door apertures.
DATES: Effective March 13, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 13, 1996.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2747; fax (206) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream ATP airplanes
was published in the Federal Register on October 13, 1995 (60 FR
53312). That action proposed to require a one-time detailed visual
inspection for fatigue cracking and corrosion in the gussets of the
rear passenger door and the rear baggage door apertures. That action
also proposed replacement of cracked gussets, and either replacement or
repair of corroded gussets.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,800, or
$480 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
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
[[Page 5281]]
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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-03-06 Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Commercial Aircraft, Ltd.): Amendment 39-9503. Docket 94-NM-238-AD.
Applicability: Model ATP airplanes; having serial numbers 2002
through 2012 inclusive; and 2019 through 2022 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
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 degradation of the structural integrity of the
fuselage pressure vessel due to the problems associated with
cracking and corrosion in the gussets of the rear passenger door and
rear baggage door apertures, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings or within
1,500 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect cracks and
corrosion of the gussets of the rear passenger door aperture, in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-53-29, dated October
31, 1994.
(1) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, replace the
gusset in accordance with the service bulletin.
(2) If any corrosion is found, prior to further flight, either
replace the gusset in accordance with the service bulletin, or
repair the gusset in accordance with the Structural Repair Manual,
chapter 53-10-12.
(b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total landings or within
1,500 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect cracks and
corrosion of the gussets of the rear baggage door aperture, in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-53-29, dated October
31, 1994.
(1) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, replace the
gusset in accordance with the service bulletin.
(2) If any corrosion is found, prior to further flight, either
replace the gusset in accordance with the service bulletin, or
repair the gusset in accordance with the Structural Repair Manual,
chapter 53-10-12.
(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 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.
(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) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream
Service Bulletin ATP-53-29, dated October 31, 1994. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 13, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 23, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1519 Filed 2-9-96; 8:45am]
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