[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23686-23688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11438]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-28-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Models 3101 
and 3201 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 Jetstream Models 
3101 and 3201 airplanes that are equipped with the ground inhibit 
function (Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A) or JM7813B). The 
proposed AD would require removing the ground inhibit time delay and 
the ground test relay from the stall warning and protection system. 
This proposed AD

[[Page 23687]]

also requires rewiring part of the stall warning and protection system 
to assure that system reliance is maintained after relay removal. 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 ground inhibit relay while it is in the 
energized position caused by the current design, which could result in 
failure of the stall warning system and possible loss of control of the 
airplane in certain situations if the crew was not aware that the 
system had failed.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-28-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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (816) 426-6934; 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 
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. 98-CE-28-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. 98-CE-28-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 certain British Aerospace Jetstream Models 3101 
and 3201 airplanes that are equipped with the ground inhibit function 
(Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A) or JM7813B). These modifications 
incorporate a ground inhibit relay and a ground test relay to prevent 
operations of the stall warning system until the aircraft is airborne 
for three seconds. The CAA reports that failure of the ground inhibit 
relay in the energized positioned could occur.
    This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in loss of control of the airplane in certain situations if the crew 
was not aware that the stall warning system had failed.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-
JM7847, dated December 24, 1997, which specifies procedures for the 
following:

--removing the ground inhibit time delay and the ground test relay from 
the stall warning and protection system; and
--rewiring part of the stall warning and protection system to assure 
that system reliance is maintained after relay removal.

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom. The CAA classifying a service bulletin as mandatory is the 
same in the United Kingdom as the FAA issuing an AD in the United 
States.

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 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 British Aerospace Jetstream Models 3101 and 
3102 airplanes of the same type design that are registered in the 
United States and are equipped with the ground inhibit function 
(Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A) or JM7813B), the FAA is proposing 
AD action. The proposed AD would require removing the ground inhibit 
time delay and the ground test relay from the stall warning and 
protection system. This proposed AD also requires rewiring part of the 
stall warning and protection system to assure that system reliance is 
maintained after relay removal. Accomplishment of the proposed actions 
would be in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated December 24, 1997.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 301 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. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $108,360, or $360 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

[[Page 23688]]

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 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. 98-CE-28-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category, that are equipped with 
the ground inhibit function (Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A) or 
JM7813B).

    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 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the ground inhibit relay while it is in 
the energized position caused by the current design, which could 
result in failure of the stall warning system and possible loss of 
control of the airplane in certain situations if the crew was not 
aware that the system had failed, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the ground inhibit time delay and the ground test 
relay from the stall warning and protection system, and rewire part 
of the stall warning and protection system to assure that system 
reliance is maintained after relay removal. Accomplish these actions 
in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of 
British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, 
dated December 24, 1997.
    (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 British 
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated 
December 24, 1997, 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 British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated December 24, 
1997. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory by the United 
Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 23, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-11438 Filed 4-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U