[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38821-38822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18366]



[[Page 38821]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-115-AD; Amendment 39-11231; AD 99-15-11]
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 repetitively 
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. 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 the inability to steer the airplane because of wear in the 
nose landing gear steering selector differential, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane during take-off, landing, or taxi 
operations.

DATES: Effective September 10, 1999.

ADDRESSES: This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-115-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 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 April 23, 1999 (64 FR 19936). The NPRM proposed to 
require repetitively 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.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, 
as specified in British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-
JA980841, Original Issue: October 28, 1998.
    The FAA is requiring in another action (Docket No. 98-CE-117-AD) a 
one-time inspection of 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, with adjustment as necessary.
    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. One comment was received in favor of 
the NPRM and no comments were received on 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 the initial replacement, that it will take approximately 4 
workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately 
$2,500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the initial replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $959,000, 
or $2,740 per airplane.
    These figures only take into account the cost of the initial 
overhaul or replacement and do not take into account the cost of 
subsequent overhauls or replacements. The FAA has no way of determining 
the number of overhauls or replacements that each owner/operator of the 
affected airplanes will incur over the life of his/her 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 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.

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:

99-15-11 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11231; Docket No. 98-CE-
115-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

[[Page 38822]]

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: Upon accumulating 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
on the nose landing gear selector valve or within the next 12 
calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, unless already accomplished; and thereafter each time 
10,000 hours TIS is accumulated on a nose landing gear selector 
valve.
    To prevent the inability to steer the airplane because of wear 
in the nose landing gear steering selector differential, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane during take-off, landing, 
or taxi operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the nose landing gear steering selector valve, part 
number (P/N) 8668C or AIR86002-0 (or FAA-approved equivalent part 
number), and install one of the following in accordance with the 
applicable maintenance manual, as specified in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA980841, Original Issue: October 28, 
1998:
    (1) A new steering selector valve, P/N 8668C or AIR86002-0 (or 
FAA-approved equivalent part number); or
    (2) An FAA-approved nose landing gear steering selector valve 
that has been overhauled in accordance with the appropriate 
component maintenance manual.

    Note 2: The FAA is requiring in another action (Docket No. 98-
CE-117-AD) a one-time inspection of 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, with adjustment as 
necessary.

    (b) 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.
    (c) 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, 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 3: 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 Service Bulletin 32-JA980841, Original Issue: 
October 28, 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 32-JA980841, Original Issue: 
October 28, 1998. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory 
by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

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

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 13, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18366 Filed 7-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P