[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 14383-14385] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-7676] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to all British Aerospace (BAe) Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes equipped with a certain autopilot. The proposed action would require modifying the autopilot elevator electric system relays by installing two additional relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located under the right hand crew seat. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the autopilot elevator electric system relays for the up and down trim interlocks, which, if not corrected, could result in uncommanded trim servo operation and possible loss of control of the airplane. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 27, 1998. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone (01292) 479888; facsimile (01292) 479703. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. S. M. Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the [[Page 14384]] proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should 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, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes 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 No. 97-CE-100-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Discussion The Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all BAe Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes equipped with an autopilot system installed under Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483. These modifications encompassed the installation of an autopilot system that had pitch-up and pitch-down relays with an 800 hour life limit. The CAA reports that the cause of the failure of the trip relays is due to the relay contacts opening and closing several times when the coil is de- energized rather than breaking cleanly in one operation. This results in premature failure of the relay contacts. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in uncommanded trim servo operation and possible loss of control of the airplane. Relevant Service Information BAe has issued Jetstream 3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin 22-JK 2628, Revision 2, dated October 21, 1996, which specifies procedures for modifying the autopilot trim relays (which removes the 800 hour life cycle restriction on the pitch up and pitch down relays) by incorporating Kit No. JK2628, which provides two additional relays in the relay box located below the right hand crew seat in the cockpit. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British AD No. 006-10-96, undated, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom. The FAA's Determination This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of Sec. 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 including the service information referenced above, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States. Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other BAe Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes of the same type design that are registered in the United States, and are equipped with autopilot systems installed under JAL Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483, the FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require modifying the autopilot system by installing two additional relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located below the right-hand crew seat in the cockpit. Accomplishment of the proposed installation would be in accordance with Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Service Bulletin 22-JK 2628, Revision 2: October 21, 1996. Proposed Compliance Time The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because the unsafe condition described by this AD occurs regardless of the hours time-in-service. The electrical failure in the relay contacts occurs from frequent use whether or not the airplane is actually in flight. Therefore, to ensure that the above-referenced condition is corrected on all of the affected airplanes within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently grounding any airplanes, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time instead of hours TIS is proposed. Cost Impact The FAA estimates that 189 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $430 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $149,310 or $790 per airplane. 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 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) 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 has been placed 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 [[Page 14385]] 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 a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: British Aerospace: Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD. Applicability: Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in any category, that are equipped with autopilot systems installed under Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483. 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 within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent failure of the autopilot elevator electric system relays for the up and down trim interlocks, which if not corrected, could result in uncommanded trim servo operation and possible loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following: (a) Modify the autopilot system with Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. (JAL) Kit No. JK2628 in accordance with Jetstream 3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin No. 22-JK 2628, Revision 2: October 21, 1996, by installing two additional relays in the relay box with associated wiring changes. This relay box is located under the right-hand crew seat in the cockpit. (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 compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate. (d) Questions or technical information related to Jetstream 3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin No. 22-JK 2628, Revision 2: October 21, 1996 should be directed to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone (01292) 479888; facsimile (01292) 479703. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in the British AD No. 006-10-96, undated. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 17, 1998. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-7676 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P