[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30587-30588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14803]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-15-AD; Amendment 39-10567; AD 98-12-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes. 
This AD requires modifying the emergency hydraulic hand-pump by 
increasing the length of the access aperture. This AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent difficulty accessing the emergency 
hydraulic hand-pump because of the current design, which, in the event 
of a hydraulic system failure, could result in the inability to operate 
the flaps and landing gear.

DATES: Effective July 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; 
facsimile: (01292) 479703. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-15-AD, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain British 
Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 19, 1998 
(63 FR 13378). The NPRM proposed to require modifying the emergency 
hydraulic hand-pump by increasing the length of the access aperture. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 29-JM 
7360, Revision No. 1, dated January 3, 1991.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject

[[Page 30588]]

presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 58 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this modification, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. British Aerospace will provide parts 
to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes at no cost. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $24,360, or $420 per airplane.

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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained 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, 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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-12-11  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10567; Docket No. 98-CE-
15-AD.
    Applicability: Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes, serial numbers 
601 through 646, 648 through 655, 657, 658, and 660, 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 within the next 300 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent difficulty accessing the emergency hydraulic hand-
pump because of the current design, which, in the event of a 
hydraulic system failure, could result in the inability to operate 
the flaps and landing gear, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the emergency hydraulic hand-pump by increasing the 
length of the access aperture in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section of British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 
29-JM 7360, Revision 1, dated January 3, 1991.
    (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 Service Bulletin 29-JM 7360 Revision No. 1, 
dated January 3, 1991, should be directed to British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft Limited, 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.
    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 29-JM 
7360 Revision No. 1, dated January 3, 1991. 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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Limited, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 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 Aerospace 
Jetstream Service Bulletin 29-JM 7360, Revision 1, dated January 3, 
1991. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory by the United 
Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 24, 1998. Issued in 
Kansas City, Missouri, on May 29, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14803 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U