[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24216-24218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11882]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-95-AD; Amendment 39-9617; AD 96-10-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 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 Model 4101 airplanes, that requires 
inspections of the handrail assembly at the main entrance door to 
detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail 
pivot-tube and the spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and

[[Page 24217]]

cracks on the handrail pivot-tube. It also requires repair or 
replacement of the assembly, if necessary, and provides for two 
optional terminating actions. This amendment is prompted by a report 
indicating that fatigue cracks and loose rivets were found on the 
handrail assembly of the main passenger entrance door on an in-service 
airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
these conditions, which can lead to the failure of the door handrail 
assembly; such failure could allow the door to fall free and 
subsequently cause injury to people on the airplane or on the ground.

DATES: Effective June 18, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 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: 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) 227-1149.

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 Model 4101 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 1995 
(60 FR 58023). That action proposed to require inspections of the 
handrail assembly at the main entrance door to detect loose or missing 
rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the 
spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the 
handrail pivot-tube. It also proposed to require repair or replacement 
of the assembly, if necessary. The proposal also provided for two 
optional terminating actions.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    Two commenters support the proposal.

Request to Withdraw the Proposal as Unnecessary

    One commenter requests that the proposal be withdrawn. This 
commenter, the only U.S. operator affected by the requirements of the 
proposed rule, states that it is currently in the process of 
accomplishing the terminating actions on all of its affected airplanes. 
Its schedule calls for the terminating action to be accomplished on all 
of these airplanes by the time the final rule would become effective. 
In light of this, the commenter maintains that an AD is unnecessary and 
the proposal should be withdrawn.
    The FAA does not concur. While the operator's fleet may be the only 
airplanes currently on the U.S. Register that would be affected by the 
AD, there is the possibility that other airplanes of this same type 
design may be imported in the future and placed on the Register. 
Without this AD, there would be no assurance that the unsafe condition 
was addressed on those airplanes. For this reason, the FAA finds that 
the issuance of the final rule is both necessary and warranted.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 4 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. To accomplish the inspections, it would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240, or $60 per airplane, per 
inspection.
    This cost impact figure 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. However, the FAA has been advised that the 
terminating actions provided by this rule have been accomplished on all 
4 affected U.S.-registered airplanes. Therefore, the promulgation of 
this AD will impose no new additional costs on U.S. operators.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish one of the two terminating 
actions provided by this AD, the following costs would apply:
    Installation of the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly 
takes approximately 4.5 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor 
charge of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this optional action is $270 per airplane, plus the cost of necessary 
parts.
    Installation of the structural improvements of the door and door 
support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, takes 
approximately10 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor charge of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
optional action is $600 per airplane, plus the cost of necessary parts.

Regulatory Impact

    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 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.

[[Page 24218]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-10-10  Jetstream: Amendment 39-9617. Docket 95-NM-95-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes; equipped with handrail 
assembly, Part No. 6020203 Issue C, with Modification No. JM41179 
(reference Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-009); 
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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) 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 failure of the entrance door handrail assembly, which 
subsequently could result in injury to passengers, flightcrew, or 
groundcrew, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 50 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
conduct a detailed visual inspection of the handrail assembly at the 
main entrance door to detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal 
movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot that 
attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the handrail pivot-
tube, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-
036, dated June 13, 1994.
    (b) If no cracks or other discrepancies are detected during the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-
service.
    (c) If evidence of any loose or missing rivet is revealed, or if 
abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot 
that attaches to the bearing assembly is detected, as a result of 
any of the inspections required by this AD, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the procedures specified in paragraph 2.B.(4) of 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. 
Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service.
    (d) If evidence of cracking is revealed as a result of any of 
the inspections required by this AD, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), or 
(d)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Install a new handrail assembly, Part No. 6020203 Issue C 
standard, as specified in paragraph 2.B.(5)(d) of Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. After 
installation, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service. Or
    (2) Install the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly 
(Customer Option Kit. No. Jk42619) in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. Such 
installation constitutes terminating action for the inspections 
required by this AD. Or

    Note 2: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619 refers to 
Flight Refuelling Service Bulletin 6020303-52-1 for additional 
installation information.

    (3) Install the structural improvements of the door and door 
support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, dated 
February 11, 1994. Such installation constitutes terminating action 
for the inspections required by this AD.

    Note 3: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025 refers to Flight 
Refuelling Service Bulletin 6020303-52-2 for additional installation 
information.

    (e) Terminating action for the inspections required by this AD 
consists of installation of the item(s) specified in either 
paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD:
    (1) Installation of the interim reinforcement of the handrail 
assembly (Customer Option Kit. No. Jk42619) in accordance with 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. Or
    (2) Installation of the structural improvements of the door and 
door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, 
in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, dated 
February 11, 1994.
    (f) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (g) 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.
    (h) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. The interim 
reinforcement of the handrail assembly shall be done in accordance 
with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 
1994. The installation of the structural improvements of the door 
and door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail 
assembly, shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-52-025, dated February 11, 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.
    (i) This amendment becomes effective on June 18, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 7, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11882 Filed 5-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U