[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1737-1738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-208]
[[Page 1737]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-127-AD; Amendment 39-10276; AD 97-11-02 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model
4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101
airplanes, that currently requires an inspection to determine the
thickness of the intercostal that attaches the third crew member seat
to the floor structure in the flight compartment, and replacement, if
necessary. That action was prompted by a report from the manufacturer
indicating that intercostals have been installed that are not of
sufficient thickness (and consequent strength) to support the third
crew member seat during emergency landing dynamic conditions. The
actions specified by that AD are intended to prevent the failure of
this intercostal during an emergency landing, which could consequently
result in injury to the flight crew. This amendment revises the
applicability of the existing AD by removing several airplanes.
DATES: Effective February 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed
in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register
as of February 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin
J41-A53-030, dated January 19, 1996, as listed in the regulations, was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of July
2, 1997 (62 FR 28795, May 28, 1997).
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by revising AD 97-11-02,
amendment 39-10031 (62 FR 28795, May 28, 1997), which is applicable to
certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on October 14, 1997 (62 FR 53272).
The action proposed to continue to require a one-time inspection of the
intercostal of the third crew member seat to the floor structure in the
flight compartment to determine the thickness of this part, and
replacement with a new intercostal of the correct thickness, if
necessary. The action also proposed to limit the applicability of the
existing AD by removing several airplanes.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the two comments received.
Both commenters support the proposed rule.
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
Since this AD merely deletes airplanes from the applicability of
the existing AD, it adds no additional costs, and requires no
additional work to be performed by affected operators. The current
costs associated with this AD are reiterated in their entirety (as
follows) for the convenience of affected operators:
The FAA estimates that 14 Jetstream Model 4101 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 $840, or $60
per airplane.
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 removing amendment 39-10031 (62 FR
28795, May 28, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
amendment 39-10276, to read as follows:
97-11-02 R1 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly
JetstreamAircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft)
Limited]: Amendment 39-10276. Docket 97-NM-127-AD. Revises AD 97-11-
02, Amendment 39-10031.
Applicability: Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, as listed in
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, Revision 2, dated
February 14, 1997; certificated in any category.
[[Page 1738]]
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 (d) 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 during emergency landing dynamic conditions
of the intercostal that attaches the third crew member seat (``third
crew seat'') to the floor structure in the flight compartment, which
could consequently result in injury to the flight crew, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 30 days after July 2, 1997 (the effective date of AD
97-11-02, amendment 39-10031), inspect the intercostal in the floor
structure that supports the third crew seat in the flight
compartment to determine the thickness of this part, in accordance
with Part 1 of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, dated
January 19, 1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or Revision 2,
dated February 14, 1997.
(b) If the thickness of the intercostal is 0.064 inch, no
further action is required by this AD.
(c) If the thickness of the intercostal is 0.048 inch,
accomplish the actions specified in either paragraph (c)(1) or
(c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Prior to further flight, replace the intercostal with a new
part manufactured from material having the correct thickness, in
accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, dated
January 19, 1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or Revision 2,
dated February 14, 1997. After replacement, no further action is
required by this AD. Or
(2) Prior to further flight, install a placard, in accordance
with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, dated January 19,
1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or Revision 2, dated
February 14, 1997, to prohibit use of the third crew seat when the
total weight of carry-on items stored in the forward right stowage
area is more than 100 pounds. Within 6 months after installation of
the placard, replace the intercostal with a new part manufactured
from material having the correct thickness, in accordance with any
of the service bulletins. After installation of the new intercostal,
the placard may be removed.
(d) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(e) 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.
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert
Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, dated January 19, 1996; Jetstream
Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, Revision 1, dated August 8,
1996; and Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, Revision 2,
dated February 14, 1997.
(1) The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin J41-A53-030, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996; and
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A53-030, Revision 2, dated
February 14, 1997; is approved by the Director of the Federal
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. These
Jetstream alert service bulletins contain the following list of
effective pages:
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Service bulletin referenced and Revision level shown
date Page No. on page Date shown on page
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J41-A53-030, Revision 1, August 8, 1, 3 1.................... August 8, 1996.
1996.
2, 4-7 Original............. January 19, 1996.
J41-A53-030, Revision 2, February 1, 3 2.................... February 14, 1997.
14, 1997.
2, 4-7 Original............. January 19, 1996.
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(2) The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin J41-53-030, dated January 19, 1996, was approved previously by
the Director of the Federal Register as of July 2, 1997 (62 FR 28795,
May 28, 1997).
(3) Copies may be obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 006-01-96.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on February 17, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 30, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-208 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P