[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14588-14589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7381]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-91-AD; Amendment 39-11094; AD 99-07-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 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 Model 3201 airplanes. 
This AD requires replacing the nose landing gear downlock actuator, the 
flap actuator, the steering selector valve, the hydraulic reservoir, 
and the emergency selector valve. 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 internal corrosion of the hydraulic components on 
airplanes where these components were exposed to water contamination, 
which could result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 10, 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-91-AD, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

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 certain British 
Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 8, 1998 
(63 FR 67633). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the nose landing 
gear downlock actuator, the flap actuator, the steering selector valve, 
the hydraulic reservoir, and the emergency selector valve. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue: 
February 4, 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.
    Since the issuance of the NPRM, British Aerospace has revised 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue: 
February 4, 1998 (Revision No. 1: January 27, 1999). This service 
bulletin revision only corrects reference to parts, clarifies certain 
aspects of the subjects, and incorporates procedural changes. In 
addition, the service bulletins (both the original issue and Revision 
No. 1) only specify the replacements. The procedures for accomplishing 
the work are included in the maintenance manual.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined:

--That referencing the revised service information in the AD would not 
add any additional burden upon the public than was originally proposed; 
and
--That air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in both calendar time 
and hours time-in-service (TIS). Corrosion could occur on the hydraulic 
system components and then either continue to deteriorate the part over 
time regardless of airplane operation or develop into stress cracks 
over time based on airplane operation. In order to assure that this 
condition does not go undetected, a compliance time of specific hours 
TIS and calendar time is utilized.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 33 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts to accomplish the replacements cost 
approximately $46,636. (Overhauled or repaired parts are available from 
the agencies of equipment manufacturers or from the aircraft 
manufacturer's agency). Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $437,544, or $48,616 
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

[[Page 14589]]

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, 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:

    99-07-09  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11094; Docket No. 98-
CE-91-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, constructor 
numbers 841, 842, 844 through 848, 851, 853 through 855, 857, 859 
through 862, and 864; 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 (c) 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 at whichever of the following occurs later, 
unless already accomplished:
    1. Upon accumulating 8,000 landings on the airplane or within 5 
years since the last time the hydraulic system components were 
replaced (see paragraph (a) of this AD for listing of components), 
whichever occurs first; or
    2. Within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD.

    Note 2: If the number of landings is unknown, hours time-in-
service (TIS) may be used by dividing 8,000 by 0.75. If hours TIS 
are utilized to calculate the number of landings, this would 
calculate the 8,000 landings compliance time to 10,667 hours TIS.

    To prevent internal corrosion of the hydraulic components on 
airplanes where these components were exposed to water 
contamination, which could result in reduced or loss of control of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the following critical components of the hydraulic 
system, in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as 
specified in Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, 
Original Issue: February 4, 1998, or Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue: February 4, 1998, Revision 
No. 1: January 27, 1999:
    (1) The nose landing gear downlock actuator;
    (2) The flap actuator;
    (3) The steering selector valve;
    (4) The hydraulic reservoir; and
    (5) The emergency selector valve.

    Note 3: The FAA highly recommends replacing the hydraulic fluid 
while these system components are being replaced, as specified in 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original Issue: 
February 4, 1998, or Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 
970940, Original Issue: February 4, 1998, Revision No. 1: January 
27, 1999.

    (b) 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.
    (c) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to British 
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 970940, Original 
Issue: February 4, 1998, or Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 29-A-JA 
970940, Original Issue: February 4, 1998, Revision No. 1: January 
27, 1999, 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 001-
02-98, not dated.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7381 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U