[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69999-70001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33244]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-122-AD; Amendment 39-10946; AD 98-26-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited 
Model B.121 Series 1, 2, and 3 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 all British Aerospace (Operations) Limited (British 
Aerospace) Model B.121 Series 1, 2, and 3 airplanes. This AD requires 
repetitively inspecting (using visual methods) the internal and 
external surfaces of the brake torque tube assemblies in the cockpit 
area for cracks. This AD also requires obtaining and incorporating 
repair procedures for any brake torque tube assembly found cracked. 
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 detect and correct 
cracks in the brake torque tube assemblies, which could result in 
reduced brake efficiency with possible reduced and/or loss of airplane 
control.

DATES: Effective January 29, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from British Aerospace (Operations) Limited, 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. 97-CE-122-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. Roger Chudy, 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 all British Aerospace 
Model B.121 Series 1, 2, and 3 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 14, 
1998 (63 FR 49050). The NPRM proposed to require repetitively 
inspecting (using visual methods) the internal and external surfaces of 
the brake torque tube assemblies in the cockpit area for cracks. The 
NPRM also proposed to require obtaining and incorporating repair 
procedures for any brake torque tube assembly found cracked. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
required in accordance with Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. PUP Service 
Bulletin No. B121/103, ORIGINAL ISSUE: October 26, 1995. Accomplishment 
of the proposed repair, if necessary, would be required in accordance 
with procedures

[[Page 70000]]

obtained from the manufacturer through the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate.
    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 
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 2 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by the initial inspection required by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 5 workhours per airplane to accomplish this initial 
inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an 
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the initial 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $600, or $300 per 
airplane. These figures only take into account the costs of the initial 
inspection and do not take into account the costs for any repetitive 
inspections or the costs associated with repairing or replacing any 
cracked torque tube assemblies found during any inspection required by 
this AD. The FAA has no way of determining how many torque tube 
assemblies will be found cracked or how many repetitive inspections 
each owner/operator will incur over the life of the affected airplanes.

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:

98-26-05  British Aerospace (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-
10946; Docket No. 97-CE-122-AD.

    Applicability: Model B.121 Series 1, 2, and 3 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 detect and correct cracks in the brake torque tube 
assemblies, which could result in reduced brake efficiency with 
possible reduced and/or loss of airplane control, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Upon accumulating 3,300 hours time-in-service (TIS) on each 
brake torque tube assembly or within the next 100 hours TIS after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS, visually 
inspect each brake torque tube assembly for cracks. Accomplish this 
inspection in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. PUP Service Bulletin No. B121/
103, ORIGINAL ISSUE: October 26, 1995.
    (b) If a crack(s) is found during any inspection required by 
paragraphs (a) or (b)(2) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the following:
    (1) Obtain repair instructions from the manufacturer through the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in 
paragraph (d) of this AD; and
    (2) Incorporate these repair instructions, and continue to 
reinspect at intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS.
    (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 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 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 Jetstream 
Aircraft Ltd. PUP Service Bulletin No. B121/103, ORIGINAL ISSUE: 
October 26, 1995, should be directed to British Aerospace 
(Operations) Limited, 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 inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. PUP Service Bulletin No. 
B121/103, ORIGINAL ISSUE: October 26, 1995. 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 (Operations) Limited, 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 AD 003-
10-95, not dated.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 29, 1999.


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    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 9, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33244 Filed 12-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P