[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14656-14658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7886]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-110-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model HP.137
Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Model 3101, Jetstream Model 3201, and
Jetstream 200 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain British Aerospace (BAe) Model HP.137
Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Model 3101, Jetstream Model 3201, and
Jetstream 200 series airplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing
the windshield wiper arm attachment bolts and windshield wiper arm on
all of the affected airplanes, and measuring the material thickness of
the upper and lower toggle attachment brackets on the nose landing gear
of the affected airplanes, and replacing the toggle attachment bracket
lugs if necessary. 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 the windshield wiper arm from corroding,
detaching from the airplane during flight, and penetrating the
fuselage, which, if not corrected, could result in possible injury to
the pilot and passengers; and to prevent collapse of the nose landing
gear caused by design deficiency, which, if not corrected, could result
in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.
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-110-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,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
(816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
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 should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
[[Page 14657]]
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-110-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-110-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 unsafe
conditions may exist on certain BAe Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1,
Jetstream Model 3101, Jetstream Model 3201, and Jetstream 200 series
airplanes. The CAA reports the following:
--That a windshield wiper arm came loose from one of the above
airplanes. Once the wiper arm detached from the airplane, it hit the
propeller blade, and broke off the tip of the propeller blade. The
wiper arm, wiper arm attachment bolt, and the propeller tip penetrated
the fuselage. It was later determined by a CAA investigation that the
wiper arm attachment bolt failed because of corrosion.
--That a nose landing gear (NLG) failure was attributed to fatigued NLG
toggle bracket lugs and axle bracket lugs. Further investigation by the
CAA and the manufacturer determined that external radii drawing
tolerances have led to insufficient wall thicknesses, contributing to
fatigue on the NLG axle brackets during landing.
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in pilot and
passenger injury and loss of control of the airplane during landing
operations.
Relevant Service Information
BAe has issued the following service information:
Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Service Bulletin (SB) 30-JA 950641,
Original Issue: August 23, 1996, Revision No. 2: March 18, 1997, which
specifies following the procedures provided in Rosemont Aerospace Inc.
Service Bulletin No. 2314M-30-16, dated December, 1996, for replacing
the windshield wiper arm attachment bolts; and,
Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Alert Service Bulletin No. 32-JA 960601,
Original Issue: October 25, 1996, Revision No. 1: dated April 11, 1997,
which specifies following the procedures provided in APPH Precision
Hydraulics SB No. 32-66, Revision No. 2, Issued: March 1997, for
measuring the outer wall thickness of the toggle bracket lugs and the
axle bracket lugs on the nose landing gear, and replacing these parts
if the measurement is not within certain measurements limits. This SB
incorporates the following effective pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision level Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2, 5, and 6...................... Revision 2........ March 1997.
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The CAA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued
the following AD's in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the United Kingdom: British AD 006-08-96, not dated,
for the windshield wipers condition; and British AD 002-10-96, not
dated, for the nose landing gear condition.
The FAA's Determination
These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and
are 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, 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 Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream
Model 3101, Jetstream Model 3201, and Jetstream 200 series airplanes of
the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is
proposing AD action. This proposed AD would require replacing the
windshield arm and windshield arm attachment bolt; and, measuring the
outer wall thickness of the NLG toggle bracket lugs and axle bracket
lugs, and replacing any part that does not meet the required
measurements. Accomplishment of these proposed actions would be in
accordance with the previously referenced service information.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 314 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the windshield wiper portion of the proposed AD, that it
would take approximately 2 workhours per airplane to accomplish the
replacement of the proposed AD, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided at no cost. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact for the windshield wiper portion
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,680, or
$120 per airplane.
The FAA estimates that 284 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the nose landing gear portion of the proposed AD, that it
would take approximately 2 workhours per airplane to accomplish the
measurement of the proposed AD, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. No parts are required to accomplish this
portion of the proposed AD. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the nose landing gear portion of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $34,080, or $120 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
[[Page 14658]]
``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 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-110-AD.
Applicability: Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Model
3101, Jetstream Model 3201, and Jetstream 200 series airplanes (all
serial numbers), 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 (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 in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent the windshield wiper arm from corroding, detaching
from the airplane during flight, and penetrating the fuselage,
which, if not corrected, could result in possible injury to pilot
and passengers; and to prevent collapse of the nose landing gear
caused by design deficiency, which, if not corrected, could result
in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 90 days after the effective date of this AD,
replace the windshield wiper arm and windshield wiper attachment
bolt in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section in
the Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Service Bulletin (SB) 30-JA 950641,
Original Issue: August 23, 1996, Revision No. 2: March 18, 1997, and
the Accomplishment Instructions section of the Rosemont Aerospace
Inc. SB No. 2314M-30-16, dated December 1996.
(b) Within the next 90 days after the effective date of this AD,
measure the outer wall thickness of the nose landing gear (NLG)
toggle bracket lugs and the axle bracket lugs in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Precision Hydraulics SB 32-66,
Revision No. 2, Issued March 1997 which incorporates the following
pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision level Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2, 5, and 6..................... Revision 2......... March 1997.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 2: The APPH SB is referenced in the Accomplishment
Instructions in Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Alert Service Bulletin
No. 32-JA 960601, Revision No. 1, April 11, 1997, Original Issue,
October 25, 1996.
(1) Prior to further flight, replace the NLG toggle bracket lugs
and axle bracket lugs, if the measurements of the outer wall
thickness do not meet the criteria set out in the Table contained in
paragraph B. (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions section in APPH
Precision Hydraulics SB 32-66, Revision 2, Issued March 1997.
(2) If the measurements of the outer wall thickness are within
the criteria set out in the Table contained in paragraph B. (5) of
the Accomplishment Instructions section in APPH Precision Hydraulics
SB 32-66, Revision 2, Issued March 1997, replace the NLG toggle
bracket lugs and axle bracket lugs at the times specified in the
Table referenced above, or within the next 50 landings after the
measurement is taken, whichever occurs later.
Note 3: The compliance time in this AD takes precedence over the
compliance times published in the applicable service bulletins.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
(d) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to the service
information referenced in this AD 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 002-
10-96, not dated, for the nose landing gear condition; and British
AD 006-08-96, not dated, for the wind shield wiper condition.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7886 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P