[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50138-50139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24907]



[[Page 50138]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-152-AD; Amendment 39-10774; AD 98-20-07]
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 supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes, that currently requires an inspection to determine the data 
on the label of certain hose assemblies, and replacement of all hose 
assemblies from any discrepant batch with certain new hose assemblies. 
This amendment requires a one-time inspection for different data on the 
label of certain hose assemblies, and replacement of all hose 
assemblies from any discrepant batch with certain new hose assemblies. 
This action also adds airplanes to the applicability of the existing 
AD. This amendment is prompted by a report of the failure of a hose 
assembly in the fire extinguisher system of the engine nacelle due to 
cracks, caused during manufacture of the hose assemblies, in the swaged 
ferrule that attaches the hose to the end fitting. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of hose 
assemblies, which could prevent the proper distribution of fire 
extinguishing agent within the engine nacelle in the event of a fire.

DATES: Effective October 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
J41-A26-007, Revision 1, dated May 21, 1997, as listed in the 
regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
October 26, 1998.

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 superseding AD 97-15-05, 
amendment 39-10078 (62 FR 38015, July 16, 1997), which is applicable to 
certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on July 14, 1998 (63 FR 37793). That 
action proposed to add a one-time inspection for different data on the 
label of certain hose assemblies, and replacement of all hose 
assemblies from any discrepant batch with certain new hose assemblies. 
That action also proposed to add airplanes to the applicability of the 
existing AD.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that approximately 57 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    The new inspection that is required in this AD will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,420, 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 39-10078 (62 FR 
38015, July 16, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-10774, to read as follows:

98-20-07  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-10774. Docket 98-NM-152-AD. Supersedes AD 97-15-05, 
Amendment 39-10078.

    Applicability: Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, constructors 
numbers 41004 through 41100 inclusive; 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 (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or

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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 of hose assemblies, which could prevent the 
proper distribution of fire extinguishing agent within the engine 
nacelle in the event of a fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine the data on the 
label of the two hose assemblies having part number 14191001-56, in 
accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A26-007, 
Revision 1, dated May 21, 1997.
    (1) If the data on any hose assembly are not identical to the 
data shown on either Label 1 or Label 2 of Figure 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin, no 
further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the data on any hose assembly are identical to the data 
shown on either Label 1 or Label 2 of Figure 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the alert service bulletin, prior to the 
accumulation of 60 flight hours following accomplishment of the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace the hose 
assembly with a new hose assembly that has different data on the 
identification label, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (b) 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A26-007, Revision 1, dated 
May 21, 1997. This incorporation by reference is 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 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 26, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 11, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24907 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U