[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 78 (Friday, April 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19930-19932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10174]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 78 / Friday, April 23, 1999 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 19930]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-117-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 nose wheel steering system to assure 
that the free play between the steering handle or knob and the nose 
wheels is within acceptable limits, and adjusting as necessary. 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 the inability to steer the airplane because of excessive free 
play in the steering linkage, which could result in loss of control of 
the airplane during take-off, landing, or taxi operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 24, 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-117-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-117-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-117-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 a recent incident where the operator of one of the affected 
airplanes lost control while the airplane was on the ground and veered 
off the runway. Inspection of this airplane following the incident 
revealed an unacceptable amount of free play in the nose landing gear 
steering linkage because of excessive wear in the steering selector 
differential.
    This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in loss of control of the airplane during take-off, landing, or taxi 
operations.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued the following:

--Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA980840, Original Issue: 
October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2: December 17, 1998, which specifies 
procedures for inspecting the nose wheel steering system to assure that 
the free play between the steering handle or knob and the nose wheels 
is within acceptable limits, and adjusting as necessary; and
--Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA980841, Original Issue: October 28, 
1998, which specifies removing the nose landing gear steering selector 
valve and installing either a new nose landing gear steering selector 
valve or one that has been overhauled in accordance with the 
appropriate component maintenance manual.

    The CAA classified these service bulletins 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.

The FAA's Determination

    These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and 
are type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions

[[Page 19931]]

of Sec. 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 registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing AD action. 
The proposed AD would require inspecting the nose wheel steering system 
to assure that the free play between the steering handle or knob and 
the nose wheels is within acceptable limits, and adjusting as 
necessary. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be in 
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-
A-JA980840, Original Issue: October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2, December 
17, 1998.
    The FAA is proposing in another action (Docket No. 98-CE-115-AD) a 
repetitive requirement of removing the nose landing gear steering 
selector valve and installing either a new nose landing gear steering 
selector valve or one that has been overhauled in accordance with the 
appropriate component maintenance manual.

Differences Between the Service Bulletin and the Proposed AD

    British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA980840, 
Original Issue: October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2, December 17, 1998, 
specifies calendar compliance times based on the number of landings 
each airplane has accumulated. In order to keep the compliance time 
equal for all airplane operators, the FAA is proposing the inspection 
when the airplane has 10,000 landings. In order to assure that no 
affected airplane is inadvertently grounded, the FAA is proposing 100 
landings as a grace period. The proposed compliance time is as follows:

    ``Upon accumulating 10,000 landings or within the next 100 
landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later.''

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 350 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed inspection, that it would take approximately 6 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $126,000, or $360 per airplane.
    These figures only take into account the costs of the proposed 
inspection and do not take into account the costs associated with any 
adjustments that would be necessary if the free play was not within 
acceptable limits. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that would need adjustments to the nose wheel steering system 
based on the results of the proposed inspection.

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-117-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 the inability to steer the airplane because of 
excessive free play in the steering linkage, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane during take-off, landing, or taxi 
operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Upon accumulating 10,000 landings or within the next 100 
landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, inspect the nose wheel steering system to assure that the 
free play between the steering handle or knob and the nose wheels is 
within acceptable limits. Accomplish this inspection in accordance 
with the A. Inspection portion of the Accomplishment Instructions 
section of British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-
JA980840, Original Issue: October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2, December 
17, 1998.

    Note 2: If the number of landings is unknown, hours time-in-
service (TIS) may be used by dividing 10,000 and 100 by 0.75. If 
hours TIS are utilized to calculate the number of landings, this 
would calculate the 10,000 landings compliance time to 13,333 hours 
TIS; and the 100 landings grace period compliance time to 133 hours 
TIS.

    (b) If the free play between the steering handle or knob and the 
nose wheels is not within the acceptable limits, prior to further 
flight, adjust in accordance with the B. Rectification portion of 
the Accomplishment Instructions section of British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-

[[Page 19932]]

JA980840, Original Issue: October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2, December 
17, 1998.

    Note 3: The FAA is proposing in another action (Docket No. 98-
CE-115-AD) a repetitive requirement of removing the nose landing 
gear steering selector valve and installing either a new nose 
landing gear steering selector valve or one that has been overhauled 
in accordance with the appropriate component maintenance manual.

    (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 4: 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 32-A-JA980840, Original 
Issue: October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2: December 17, 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA980840, Original Issue: 
October 28, 1998, Revision No. 2: December 17, 1998. This service 
bulletin is classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10174 Filed 4-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U