[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54767-54769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25931]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-115-AD; Amendment 39-11356; AD 99-21-12]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, 
that requires a one-time visual inspection of the conduit pipe for 
distortion or repairs, and replacement of the conduit pipe with a new 
pipe, if necessary. This amendment also requires replacement of the 
cable assemblies to the fuel standby pumps with new cable assemblies 
that have improved sheathing protection.

[[Page 54768]]

This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical 
arcing due to damaged fuel standby pump cable assemblies and conduit 
pipes, which could create a possible ignition source, and consequent 
fire hazard.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 
1999 (64 FR 38157). That action proposed to require a one-time visual 
inspection of the conduit pipe for distortion or repairs, and 
replacement of the conduit pipe with a new pipe, if necessary. That 
action also proposed to require replacement of the cable assemblies to 
the fuel standby pumps with new cable assemblies that have improved 
sheathing protection.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Correction of Manufacturer's Title

    The FAA has been informed that the title of the manufacturer has 
changed. The FAA has made this change in the final rule.

New Service Information

    Since issuance of the proposed AD, the FAA has reviewed and 
approved Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-28-010, Revision 1, September 
7, 1999. This new revision is essentially the same as the original 
issue of the service bulletin, which was cited in the proposed AD as 
the appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the 
actions required. However, Revision 1 changes the part number of a 
crimping tool. The FAA has determined that the inspection and 
corrective actions required by paragraph (a) of the final rule may be 
accomplished in accordance with either of those service bulletins. The 
final rule has been revised accordingly.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. 
The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 16 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$56,640, or $960 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-21-12  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-11356. Docket 99-NM-115-AD.

    Applicability: All Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, 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 (b) 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 electrical arcing due to damaged fuel standby pump 
cable assemblies and conduit pipes, which could create a possible 
ignition source, and consequent fire hazard, accomplish the 
following:

Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the following actions

[[Page 54769]]

required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance 
with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-28-010, Revision 1, dated 
September 7, 1999.
    (1) Perform a one-time visual inspection of the conduit pipe 
(left and right), which carries the fuel standby pump cable assembly 
into the dry bay of the wing, for distortion (i.e., damage) or 
repairs. If any distortion or repair is found, prior to further 
flight, replace the conduit pipe with a new pipe, part number 
14128032-403 (left) or part number 14128032-405 (right).
    (2) Replace fuel standby pump cable assemblies (left and right) 
with new cable assemblies, part number F5-71-1.

    Note 2: Inspections or replacements that have been accomplished 
prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-28-010, dated April 5, 1999, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified by 
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-28-010, Revision 1, dated September 7, 1999. 
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, 
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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 005-04-99.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25931 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U