[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P