[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13325-13326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6101]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-92-AD; Amendment 39-11075; AD 99-06-11]
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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting
the elevator bias spring assembly for correct installation and to
assure that the correctly manufactured bias spring is installed. This
AD also requires replacing any incorrectly manufactured bias spring,
reworking any incorrectly installed bias spring assembly, inspecting
the link assembly for distortion or damage, and replacing any distorted
and/or damaged parts. 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 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: Effective April 26, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 26, 1999.
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-92-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, 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
HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201
airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on December 8, 1998 (63 FR 67631). The NPRM proposed
to require inspecting the elevator bias spring assembly for correct
installation and to assure that the correctly manufactured bias spring
is installed. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing any
incorrectly manufactured bias spring, 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 as specified in the NPRM would
be in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 27-A-JA980606,
Original Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1: July 31, 1998.
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 350 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
airplane to accomplish this 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 this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $35,000, or $100 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
[[Page 13326]]
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:
99-06-11 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11075; 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
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
Secs. 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.
(f) The inspections, modifications, and replacements required by
this AD shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service
Bulletin 27-A-JA980606, Original Issue: July 6, 1998, Revision 1:
July 31, 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-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).
(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 26, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6101 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
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