[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 236 (Friday, December 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64643-64645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31109]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-131-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 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 Model 4101 
airplanes. This proposal would require the replacement of weight 
limitation placards in the aft main baggage bay and in the aft right 
stowage compartment with new placards indicating lower maximum weight 
limits. It would also require a revision of the Airplane Flight Manual 
to delete references to the current higher weight limits for these 
areas. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that existing 
weight limitations could result in failure of the front bulkhead of the 
aft main baggage bay and doors of the aft right stowage compartment 
during emergency dynamic landing conditions. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent this failure, which 
consequently could result in injury to passengers and flight crew, and 
hinder evacuation of the airplane through the exit adjacent to this 
bulkhead.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-131-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, 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) 
227-2148; 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,

[[Page 64644]]

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 96-NM-131-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. 96-NM-131-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 Model 4101 airplanes. 
The CAA advises that it has received a report from the manufacturer 
indicating that testing of a new configuration for the aft main baggage 
bay has shown that the doors in the aft right stowage compartment will 
not meet crashworthiness requirements when the weight in that area 
exceeds 160 pounds and the total weight in the aft main baggage bay 
exceeds 968 pounds. Should these weight limitations be exceeded and 
emergency landing dynamic conditions arise, the front bulkhead of the 
aft main baggage bay and the doors of the aft right stowage compartment 
could fail, and consequently result in injury to passengers and flight 
crew, and hinder evacuation of the airplane through the exit adjacent 
to this bulkhead.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 18, 
1996, which describes procedures for establishing new weight limits for 
these areas by removal of the weight limitation placards in the aft 
main baggage bay and aft right stowage compartment, and replacement of 
these placards with new placards indicating a lower maximum weight 
limit. It also describes procedures for revising the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for certain airplanes by removal of an 
amendment from that manual; this amendment references the higher weight 
limits in effect before the installation of the new placards. The CAA 
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British 
airworthiness directive 005-01-96, dated January 31, 1996, in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom.

FAA's Conclusions

    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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require removal of the 
weight limitation placards in the aft main baggage bay and aft right 
stowage compartment, and replacement with new placards that establish 
lower maximum weight limits in these areas. It would also require a 
revision to the AFM for certain airplanes that would require removal of 
references to higher weight limits in effect before the new placards 
are installed. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 44 Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required placards would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,640, or $60 per airplane.
    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.

Regulatory Impact

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


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 96-NM-131-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, as listed in Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 18, 1996; 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,

[[Page 64645]]

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 failure of the front bulkhead of the aft main baggage 
bay and the doors of the aft right stowage compartment during 
emergency landing dynamic conditions, which consequently could 
result in injury to passengers and flight crew and hinder evacuation 
of the airplane through the exit adjacent to the bulkhead, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) For all airplanes: Within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD, replace the weight limitation placards in the aft main 
baggage bay and aft right stowage compartment with new placards 
indicating lower maximum weight limitations, in accordance with 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 18, 1996.
    (b) For airplanes having constructor numbers 41041 through 41043 
inclusive, 41045, 41055, 41058, 41059, 41063, and 41064: Within 30 
days after the effective date of this AD, after accomplishment of 
the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD, revise the FAA-
approved Airplane Flight Manual by removing Amendment P25, in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 
18, 1996.
    (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 December 2, 1996.
Gary L. Killion,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31109 Filed 12-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U