[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30505-30507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15141]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-9670; AD 96-13-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly
British Aerospace, Regional Airlines Limited) Jetstream 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 certain Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Jetstream Model
3201 airplanes. This action requires repetitively inspecting the spigot
housing plate for cracks and corrosion at the wing/fuselage forward
attachment sliding joint, replacing any cracked or corroded part, and
eventually replacing the spigots and spigot housing plate with new
parts of improved design. A crack in the spigot housing plate assembly
found during fatigue testing of the affected airplanes prompted this
action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
structural failure of the wing/fuselage area caused by a cracked or
corroded spigot housing assembly.
DATES: Effective August 7, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 7, 1996.
[[Page 30506]]
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, D.C. 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 93-CE-
34-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 Manager,
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone
(32 2) 508.2715; facsimile (32 2) 230.6899; or Mr. Jeffrey Morfitt,
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64105;
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain JAL Jetstream
Model 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September
19, 1995 (60 FR 48429). The action proposed to require repetitively
inspecting the spigot housing plate for cracks and corrosion at the
wing/fuselage forward attachment sliding joint, replacing any cracked
or corroded part, and eventually replacing the spigots and spigot
housing plate with new parts of improved design. Accomplishment of the
proposed actions would be in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin
No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994.
A crack in the spigot housing plate assembly found during fatigue
testing of the affected airplanes prompted this action.
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 23 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the initial inspection and modification, and
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. JAL will
provide parts at no cost to the owner/operator. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$165,600 or $1,380 per airplane. This figure is based on the assumption
that none of the affected airplanes have the required modification
incorporated and does not take into account the cost of repetitive
inspections. The FAA has no way of determining how many repetitive
inspections each owner/operator will incur over the life of the
airplane.
Jetstream Aircraft Limited has informed the FAA that parts have
been distributed to equip approximately 30 airplanes (approximately 25
percent of the fleet in the U.S. registry). Assuming that each set of
parts is installed on an affected Jetstream Model 3201 airplane, the
cost impact of this AD upon U.S. operators is reduced $41,400 from
$165,600 to $124,200.
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 copy of the final 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, 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), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
96-13-02 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9670; Docket No.
93-CE-34-AD.
Applicability: Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes (serial numbers
790 through 960), 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 after the effective date of
this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent structural failure of the wing/fuselage area caused
by a cracked spigot housing assembly, accomplish the following:
(a) Upon the accumulation of 7,200 hours time-in-service (TIS)
or within the next 500 hours TIS after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later, inspect the spigot housing plate at the
wing/fuselage forward attachment sliding joint for corrosion or
cracks. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Part 1 of the
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service Bulletin
(SB) No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994; or
Jetstream SB No. 57-JA 921144, Original Issue, dated March 4, 1993.
(1) If any corrosion or cracks are found, prior to further
flight, modify the spigot and spigot housing plate in accordance
with
[[Page 30507]]
either Part 2 or Part 3, as applicable, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT
INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream SB No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1,
dated April 19, 1994. -
(2) If no corrosion or cracks are found, within the next 3,000
hours TIS after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD,
modify the spigot and spigot housing plate in accordance with either
Part 2 or Part 3, as applicable, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS
section of Jetstream SB No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April
19, 1994.
(3) Jetstream No. SB 57-JA 921144, Original Issue, dated March
4, 1993, is not applicable to this modification and shall not be
utilized to accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
(b) 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.
(c) 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 (ACO), Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA,
c/o American Embassy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request should be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Brussels ACO.
(d) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 57-JA 921144,
Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994; or Jetstream Service Bulletin No.
57-JA 921144, Original Issue, dated March 4, 1993. The modification
required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Jetstream
Service Bulletin No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 19, 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 Limited, Manager
Product Support, Prestwick 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.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment (39-9670) becomes effective on August 7,
1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 10, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15141 Filed 6-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U