[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57296-57297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26954]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-139-AD; Amendment 39-9791; AD 96-22-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model BAe 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 Model BAe ATP airplanes, that requires 
repetitive inspections of the ram air inlet ducts for structural 
integrity and security of fasteners, and repairs, if necessary. This 
amendment also provides an optional terminating modification for the 
repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by a report of the 
separation of a ram air inlet duct from the airplane during flight. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such separation, 
which could pose a hazard to persons or property on the ground.

DATES: Effective December 11, 1996.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 11, 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,

[[Page 57297]]

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 BAe ATP 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 12, 1996 (61 
FR 41757). That action proposed to require the inspection of the 
airplane's left and right ram air inlet ducts to determine whether the 
duct base plate flange has delaminated and the screws fastening these 
ducts have pulled through the duct base plate; and would require 
repair, if necessary. The action also proposed to require repetitive 
inspections and repairs, if necessary, unless an optional terminating 
action is performed.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 10 Jetstream Model BAe ATP airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 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 $600 per 
inspection, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.
    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.

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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-22-02  Jetstream Aircraft, Ltd. (Formerly British Aerospace 
Commercial Aircraft, Limited): Amendment 39-9791. Docket 96-NM-139-
AD.

    Applicability: Model Model BAe ATP airplanes having constructor 
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 
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 (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 the separation of the ram air inlet duct from the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 50 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the left and right ram air inlet 
ducts to determine whether the duct base plate flange has 
delaminated and the screws fastening the duct have pulled through 
the duct base plate, in accordance with Jetstream BAe ATP Service 
Bulletin ATP-21-36, dated January 3, 1996.
    (1) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours.
    (2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
repair in accordance with the service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat 
the inspection at intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours.
    (b) Accomplishment of the modification of the ram air inlet 
ducts in accordance with Jetstream BAe ATP Service Bulletin ATP-21-
37, dated January 23, 1996, constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) 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, 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 inspections and repair shall be done in accordance with 
Jetstream BAe ATP Service Bulletin ATP-21-36, dated January 3, 1996. 
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 December 11, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 15, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-26954 Filed 11-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U