[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 47 (Friday, March 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9371-9373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5526]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-160-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream BAe Model ATP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream BAe Model ATP 
airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive inspections to detect 
damage of the antenna mounting reinforcing plates and surrounding 
fuselage skin. If any damage is detected, the proposed AD would require 
replacement of the reinforcing plate with a new reinforcing plate and/
or repair the surrounding fuselage skin, which would terminate the 
repetitive inspection requirements. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of corrosion found at the antenna reinforcing plates, which was 
caused by the ingress of water at the plates. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent such corrosion, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage pressure vessel.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-160-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, 

[[Page 9372]]
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) 
227-2141; fax (206) 227-1149.

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-160-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-160-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 BAe Model ATP 
airplanes. The CAA has received a report indicating that corrosion was 
found on at least two airplanes at the antenna reinforcing plates. The 
cause of such corrosion has been attributed to the ingress of water at 
the plates. Corrosion of the antenna reinforcing plates, if not 
detected and corrected in a timely manner, could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the fuselage pressure vessel.
    Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin ATP-53-31, dated July 1, 
1995, which describes procedures for repetitive detailed external 
visual inspections to detect damage (i.e., corrosion, cracks, 
pillowing, and rivet pulling) of the antenna mounting reinforcing 
plates and surrounding fuselage skin. For cases where any damage is 
detected during the inspection, the service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacement of the reinforcing plate with a new 
reinforcing plate and/or repair the surrounding fuselage skin. 
Accomplishment of the replacement/repair would eliminate the need for 
the repetitive inspections. 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 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 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require repetitive detailed external visual 
inspections to detect damage (i.e., corrosion, cracks, pillowing, and 
rivet pulling) of the antenna mounting reinforcing plates and 
surrounding fuselage skin. For cases where any damage is detected 
during the inspection, the proposed AD would require replacement of the 
reinforcing plate with a new reinforcing plate and/or repair the 
surrounding fuselage skin; this replacement/repair would constitute 
terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,200, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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), 40113, 44701.


[[Page 9373]]



Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly British Aerospace Commercial 
Aircraft Limited): Docket 95-NM-160-AD.

    Applicability: BAe Model ATP airplanes having constructor's 
numbers 2002 through 2063 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent corrosion of the antenna mounting reinforcing plates 
and surrounding skin, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the fuselage pressure vessel, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed external visual inspection to detect damage (i.e., 
corrosion, cracks, pillowing, and rivet pulling) of the antenna 
mounting reinforcing plates and surrounding fuselage skin in 
accordance with PART A of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-53-31, dated July 1, 1995.
    (1) If no damage is detected, repeat the inspection thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 1 year.
    (2) If any damage is detected, replace the reinforcing plate 
with a new reinforcing plate and/or repair the surrounding fuselage 
skin at the applicable times specified in Figure 4 of the service 
bulletin, and in accordance with PART B of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin. Accomplishment of the 
replacement/repair constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (b) Accomplishment of the replacement/repair procedures 
specified in PART B of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream 
Service Bulletin ATP-53-31, dated July 1, 1995, constitutes 
terminating action for the requirements 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 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 4, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5526 Filed 3-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U