[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53555-53556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-168-AD; Amendment 39-10811; AD 98-21-03]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes, that requires replacement of the existing load limitation 
labels located in the main baggage compartment with new reduced load 
limitation labels. This amendment also provides for optional 
modification of the internal access door of the main baggage 
compartment, which, if accomplished, terminates the requirement for 
reduced load limitations. This amendment is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent failure of the internal access door latches of the main 
baggage compartment in the event of an emergency landing, which could 
delay or impede passenger evacuation due to baggage spilling into the 
aisle and blocking the emergency exit door.

DATES: Effective November 10, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 10, 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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on August 13, 1998 (63 FR 43345). That action proposed to require 
replacement of the existing load limitation labels located in the main 
baggage compartment with new reduced load limitation labels. That 
action also provides for optional modification of the internal access 
door of the main baggage compartment, which, if accomplished, would 
terminate the requirement for reduced load limitations.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 57 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the replacement 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-21-03  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-10811. Docket 98-NM-168-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, as listed in 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-010, dated August 9, 1997; 
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

[[Page 53556]]

been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed 
actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the internal access door latches of the 
main baggage compartment in the event of an emergency landing, which 
could delay or impede passenger evacuation due to baggage spilling 
into the aisle and blocking the emergency exit door, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the existing load limitation labels in the main baggage compartment 
with new reduced load limitation labels, in accordance with 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-010, dated August 9, 1997.
    (b) Modification of the internal access door of the main baggage 
compartment in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-25-
020, dated August 9, 1997, constitutes terminating action for the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-11-010, dated August 9, 1997. 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 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-08-97.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 10, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26394 Filed 10-5-98; 8:45 am]
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