[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3996-3997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1616]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-160-AD; Amendment 39-9903; AD 97-02-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream BAe Model 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 BAe Model ATP airplanes, that requires 
repetitive inspections to detect damage of the antenna mounting 
reinforcing plates and surrounding fuselage skin. If any damage is 
detected, the AD requires replacement of the reinforcing plate with a 
new reinforcing plate and/or repair of the surrounding fuselage skin, 
which would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements. This 
amendment 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 this AD are intended to prevent such 
corrosion, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
fuselage pressure vessel.

DATES: Effective March 4, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 4, 1997.

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) 
227-2141; 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 BAe Model ATP 
airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) in the Federal Register on November 8, 1996 (61 FR 57830). That 
action proposed to 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, that action also proposed to require replacement 
of the reinforcing plate with a new reinforcing plate and/or repair of 
the surrounding fuselage skin; this replacement/repair would constitute 
terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements.
    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

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request for Extension of Repetitive Inspection Interval

    One commenter requests that the proposal be revised to extend the 
repetitive inspection interval (when no corrosion is detected) from the 
proposed 1 year to 2 years. The commenter states that both the 
manufacturer and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the United 
Kingdom have determined that a 2-year repeat interval is a conservative 
figure, during which time any corrosion forming at the antenna 
reinforcing plates cannot progress to a state that would create a 
hazard. Additionally, the service bulletin referenced in the proposal 
recommends a 2-year repetitive inspection interval.
    Based on the data presented, the FAA concurs. Paragraph (a)(1) of 
the final rule has been revised accordingly.

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 with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours 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 $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 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.

[[Page 3997]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

97-02-18  Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9903. 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, Revision 1, dated December 5, 
1995.

    Note 2: Inspections of the areas specified in Jetstream Service 
Bulletin ATP-53-31, dated July 1, 1995, that have been accomplished 
prior to the effective date of this AD and in accordance with that 
service bulletin, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
inspections of those areas as required by paragraph (a) of this AD. 
(It should be noted, however, that Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 
ATP-53-31 specifies procedures for inspection of two additional ADF 
antenna locations.)

    (1) If no damage is detected, repeat the inspection thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 2 years.
    (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 this 
replacement/repair constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements of paragraph (a)(1) 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, Revision 1, dated December 5, 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 3: 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, replacement, and repair shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-53-31, Revision 1, 
dated December 5, 1995. 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 March 4, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 16, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1616 Filed 1-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U