[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U