[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70322-70324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33690]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-195-AD; Amendment 39-10958; AD 98-26-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 
4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes, that currently requires repetitive detailed visual 
inspections to detect cracks in the shear cleats of the roller guide 
structural support of the passenger door, and replacement of any 
cracked shear cleat with a new shear cleat. That AD also provides for 
an optional terminating modification that constitutes

[[Page 70323]]

terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment 
mandates accomplishment of the previously optional terminating 
modification. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that 
fatigue cracking was detected in the roller guide shear cleats of the 
passenger door. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent such fatigue-related cracking, which could result in structural 
failure or loss of the passenger door, and consequent rapid 
depressurization of the airplane during flight.

DATES: Effective January 25, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed 
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of August 12, 1997 (62 FR 40267, July 28, 1997).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 97-16-01, 
amendment 39-10090 (62 FR 40267, July 28, 1997), which is applicable to 
certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1998 (63 FR 57266). 
The action proposed to require repetitive detailed visual inspections 
to detect cracks in the shear cleats of the roller guide structural 
support of the passenger door, and replacement of any cracked shear 
cleat with a new shear cleat. The action also proposed to mandate 
accomplishment of the previously optional terminating modification.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 57 Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes of U.S. 
registry that will be affected by this AD.
    The inspections that are currently required by AD 97-16-01, and 
retained in this AD, take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required inspections on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,260, or $180 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The new modification that is required by this AD will take 
approximately 55 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$2,460 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$328,320, or $5,760 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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 removing amendment 39-10090 (62 FR 
40267, July 28, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-10958, to read as follows:

98-26-15  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-10958. Docket 97-NM-195-AD. Supersedes AD 97-16-01, 
Amendment 39-10090.

    Applicability: Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, constructor's 
numbers 41004 through 41099 inclusive; 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue-related cracking in the shear cleats of the 
roller guide structural support of the passenger door, which could 
result in structural failure or loss of the passenger door, and 
consequent rapid depressurization of the airplane during flight, 
accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 97-16-01

    (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD: Prior to the 
accumulation of 6,000 landings, or within 60 days after August 12, 
1997 (the effective date of AD 97-16-01, amendment 39-10090), 
whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection to

[[Page 70324]]

detect cracks of the shear cleats of the roller guide structural 
support of the passenger door, in accordance with Part 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-
A52-043, Revision 2, dated May 6, 1997. Repeat the detailed visual 
inspection, as specified in Part 2 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the alert service bulletin, thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 landings.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the initial detailed visual inspection 
prior to August 12, 1997, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin J41-52-043, dated March 14, 1997, or Revision 1, dated 
April 11, 1997, is considered acceptable for compliance with the 
initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (1) If one cracked shear cleat is detected, and the crack is 
greater than 0.50 inches, prior to further flight, replace the 
cracked shear cleat with a new shear cleat in accordance with the 
alert service bulletin.
    (2) If one cracked shear cleat is detected, and the crack is 
less than or equal to 0.50 inches, within 170 landings following 
accomplishment of the inspection required by this paragraph, replace 
the cracked shear cleat with a new shear cleat in accordance with 
the alert service bulletin.
    (3) If more than one cracked shear cleat is detected, but no 
single crack is greater than 0.50 inches in length, prior to further 
flight, replace all cracked shear cleats with new shear cleats in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (b) For airplanes on which all shear cleats have been replaced: 
Inspect as required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to the 
accumulation of 6,000 total landings on the highest time new shear 
cleat, or within 60 days after August 12, 1997, whichever occurs 
later. Repeat the detailed visual inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 landings.

New Requirements of This AD

    (c) Modify the passenger door (Modification No. JM41576) at all 
four roller guide locations in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-52-050, dated May 6, 1997, at the time specified in 
paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD, whichever occurs later. 
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action 
for the requirements of this AD.
    (1) Within 4,000 landings or 2 years after accomplishment of the 
initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD. Or
    (2) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A52-043, Revision 2, dated May 6, 1997, and 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-050, dated May 6, 1997. This 
incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director 
of the Federal Register as of August 12, 1997 (62 FR 40267, July 28, 
1997). Copies may be obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 25, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 15, 1998.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33690 Filed 12-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U