[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 235 (Tuesday, December 8, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67631-67633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32474]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-92-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream 
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream 
series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. The proposed 
AD would require inspecting the elevator bias spring assembly for 
correct installation and to assure that the correctly manufactured bias 
spring is installed. The proposed AD would also require replacing any 
incorrectly manufactured bias spring and reworking any incorrectly 
installed bias spring assembly, inspecting the link assembly for 
distortion or damage, and replacing any distorted and/or damaged parts. 
The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the bearings in the elevator down bias spring 
assembly caused by the installation of an incorrectly manufactured bias 
spring or damage or distortion to the assembly, which could result in 
reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-92-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; 
facsimile: (01292) 479703. This information also may be examined at the 
Rules Docket at the address above.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 98-CE-92-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-92-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, 
Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. The 
CAA reports that a link at a bearing that connects the elevator bias 
assembly spring to the elevator quadrant detached on three of the 
affected airplanes. This spring provides an additional feel force when 
the pilot moves the elevators to the aircraft nose-up position. The 
force is effective to the pilot when the airspeed of the airplane is 
low and the power is high.
    Further investigation revealed that an incorrectly manufactured 
bias spring was installed in each instance. The bearing that connects 
the spring is designed to accommodate a limited amount of twist force. 
The incorrectly manufactured bias spring provided too much twist force 
on the bearings due to an incorrect orientation of the spring hook 
ends.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, 
could result in failure of the bearings in the elevator down bias 
spring with possible reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-
JA980606, Original Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1: July 31, 1998, 
which includes procedures for the following:

--inspecting the elevator bias spring assembly for correct installation 
and to assure that the correctly manufactured bias spring is installed;
--replacing any incorrectly manufactured bias spring and reworking any 
incorrectly installed bias spring assembly;
--inspecting the link assembly for distortion or damage; and
--replacing any distorted and/or damaged parts.

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom. The CAA classifying a service bulletin as mandatory is the 
same in the United Kingdom as the FAA issuing an AD in the United 
States.

[[Page 67632]]

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 
200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes of the same type 
design that are registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing 
AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the elevator bias 
spring assembly for correct installation and to assure that the 
correctly manufactured bias spring is installed. The proposed AD would 
also require replacing any incorrectly manufactured bias spring and 
reworking any incorrectly installed bias spring assembly, inspecting 
the link assembly for distortion or damage, and replacing any distorted 
and/or damaged parts
    Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be required in 
accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JA980606, 
Original Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1: July 31, 1998.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 350 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $40 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $35,000, 
or $100 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

British Aerospace: Docket No. 98-CE-92-AD.

    Applicability: HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, 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 (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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the bearings in the elevator down bias 
spring assembly caused by the installation of an incorrectly 
manufactured bias spring or damage or distortion to the assembly, 
which could result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the elevator bias spring assembly 
assembly for correct installation and to assure that the correctly 
manufactured bias spring is installed, in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin 27-A-JA980606, Original Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1: 
July 31, 1998.
    (b) If an incorrectly manufactured bias spring is installed or 
the elevator bias spring assembly is incorrectly installed, prior to 
further flight, accomplish the following in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin 27-A-JA980606, Original Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1: 
July 31, 1998.
    (1) Rework any incorrectly installed bias spring assembly;
    (2) Replace any incorrectly manufactured bias spring; and
    (3) Inspect the link assembly for distortion or damage, and 
replace any distorted and/or damaged parts.
    (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-JA980606, Original 
Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1: July 31, 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JA980606, Original Issue: July 
6, 1998, Revision 1: July 31, 1998. This service bulletin is 
classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA).


[[Page 67633]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 1, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32474 Filed 12-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U