[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55325-55327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27327]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-28-AD; Amendment 39-10833; AD 98-21-25]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Models 3101
and 3201 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 Models 3101 and 3201
airplanes that are equipped with the ground inhibit function
(Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A) or JM7813B). This AD requires
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. 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 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: Effective November 26, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 26, 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-28-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,
[[Page 55326]]
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 Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes that are equipped
with the ground inhibit function (Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A)
or JM7813B) was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 30, 1998 (63 FR 23686). The NPRM
proposed to require removing the ground inhibit time delay and the
ground test relay from the stall warning and protection system. The
NPRM also proposed to require rewiring part of the stall warning and
protection system to assure that system reliance is maintained after
relay removal.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM
would be in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated December 24, 1997.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United
Kingdom.
After the issuance of the NPRM, British Aerospace corrected the
functional test procedures. To incorporate this change, British
Aerospace revised Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847 to the
Revision 1 level (dated April 27, 1998).
This prompted the FAA to issue 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 Models 3101 and 3201
airplanes that are equipped with the ground inhibit function
(Modification JM7813A (SB 27-JM7813A) or JM7813B), which was published
in the Federal Register as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking
on August 11, 1998 (63 FR 42270). The supplemental NPRM proposed to
require removing the ground inhibit time delay and the ground test
relay from the stall warning and protection system. The supplemental
NPRM also proposed to require rewiring part of the stall warning and
protection system to assure that system reliance is maintained after
relay removal. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in
the supplemental NPRM would be in accordance with British Aerospace
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated December 24, 1997,
Revision 1, dated April 27, 1998.
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 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 301 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. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $108,360, 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:
98-21-25 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10833; 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 (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 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,
Revision 1, dated April 27, 1998.
(b) If the actions of this AD were accomplished in accordance
with British
[[Page 55327]]
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated
December 24, 1997, the affected airplane still needs to be re-tested
in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1998.
(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 Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, Revision 1,
dated April 27, 1998, 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 modifications required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin
27-A-JM7847, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1998. 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
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JM7847, dated December 24,
1997, Revision 1, dated April 27, 1998. This service bulletin is
classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA).
(g) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 5, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27327 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
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