[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54562-54563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26970]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-32-AD; Amendment 39-10822; AD 98-21-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes. 
This AD requires replacing the elevator trim servo motor with a new 
motor of improved design; and inspecting the cable tension and 
electrical operation of the elevator and trim tab for proper operation, 
and making any necessary adjustments. 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 the elevator trim servo motor drive 
gear assembly from remaining engaged when the autopilot is disengaged, 
which could result in the pilot having to manually overpower the 
elevator trim control and possibly lose directional control of the 
airplane during critical phases of flight.

DATES: Effective November 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 20, 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-32-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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 June 17, 1998 (63 
FR 33018). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the elevator trim 
servo motor with one of improved design; and inspecting the cable 
tension and electrical operation of the elevator and trim tab for 
proper operation, and making any necessary adjustments. Accomplishment 
of the proposed actions as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance 
with Jetstream Service Bulletin 22-A-JA 860413, ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 
16, 1986, and British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 22-A-
JA 851231, ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 9, 1986.
    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

[[Page 54563]]

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 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 25 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. The manufacturer will provide parts at no 
cost to the owner/operator. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,000, or $360 
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:

98-21-13 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10822; Docket No. 98-CE-32-
AD.


    Applicability: Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes, certificated in 
any category, with the following serial numbers, that are equipped 
with an autopilot:

Serial Numbers

601, 603, 604, 606, 607, 609, 610, 612, 614, 616, 620, 621, 622, 
626, 629, 634, 637, 641, 645, 648, 649, 655, 665, 686, 690

    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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent the elevator trim servo motor drive gear assembly 
from remaining engaged when the autopilot is disengaged, which could 
result in the pilot having to manually overpower the elevator trim 
control, and possibly lose directional control of the airplane 
during critical phases of flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the elevator trim servo motor with a new elevator 
trim servo motor of improved design at fuselage station (F.S.) 421, 
aft of the rear bulkhead, in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section in Jetstream Service Bulletin 22-A-JA 860413, 
ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 16, 1986.
    (b) Inspect the cable tension, system friction, and electric 
trim manual override and make any necessary adjustments in 
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 22-A-JA 851231, ORIGINAL 
ISSUE: April 9, 1986.
    (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) 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.
    (e) Questions or technical information related to British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 22-A-JA 851231, ORIGINAL 
ISSUE: April 9, 1986, and Jetstream Service Bulletin 22-A-JA 860413, 
ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 16, 1986, 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.
    (f) The replacement, inspections, and possible adjustments 
required by this AD shall be done in accordance with British 
Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 22-A-JA 851231, ORIGINAL 
ISSUE: April 9, 1986, and Jetstream Service Bulletin 22-A-JA 860413, 
ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 16, 1986. 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, 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 
Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 22-A-JA 851231, ORIGINAL ISSUE: 
April 9, 1986, and Jetstream Service Bulletin 22-A-JA 860413, 
ORIGINAL ISSUE: April 16, 1996. These service bulletins are 
classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA).

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 30, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26970 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P