[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54795-54797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26278]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-296-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model
4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. This proposal would require a one-
time inspection of the bottom aft roller of the main baggage-bay door
structure for cracking or damage to the sub-frame; repetitive
operational tests to determine if the counter-balance motor functions
properly; and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent sub-frame damage, which, if
left undetected, could cause rapid decompression of the airplane and
consequent injury to passengers and crew.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 8, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-296-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
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:
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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 98-NM-296-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-296-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101
airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received reports of damage to a
sub-frame that supports the bottom aft roller of the main baggage bay
door due to failure of the spring in the counter-balance motor. The
damage to the sub-frame was caused by high uncontrolled loads applied
to the bottom aft roller bracket each time the baggage bay door was
allowed to fall onto the stop in the aft track. Such damage, if not
corrected, could result in failure of the door structure, which could
cause rapid decompression of the airplane and consequent injury to
passengers and crew.
[[Page 54796]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-060,
dated August 31, 1998, which describes procedures for a one-time visual
inspection of the bottom door structure for cracking or damage to the
sub-frame; repetitive operational tests to determine if the counter-
balance motor of the main baggage bay door functions properly; and
corrective actions, if necessary. The corrective actions involve
repairing any cracked or damaged sub-frame, and replacing the failed
motor with a new motor or repairing the motor. Accomplishment of the
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued British airworthiness
directive 005-08-98 in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions 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, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the service bulletin specifies
that the manufacturer may be contacted for disposition of certain
repair conditions, this proposal would require the repair of those
conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a method approved by
the FAA, or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated
agent). In light of the type of repair that would be required to
address the identified unsafe condition, and in consonance with
existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, the FAA has determined
that, for this proposed AD, a repair approved by either the FAA or the
CAA would be acceptable for compliance with this proposed AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,740, or $180 per
airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed test, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of the test proposed by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,580, or $60 per airplane, per test
cycle.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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 proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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.
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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft
Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket
98-NM-296-AD.
Applicability: British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101
airplanes, as listed in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-060, dated
August 31, 1998; 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent sub-frame damage, which, if left undetected, could
cause rapid decompression of the airplane and consequent injury to
passengers and crew, accomplish the following:
Visual Inspection
(a) Within 1,500 landings or within 5 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a one-time general
visual inspection of the bottom aft roller of the main baggage bay
door structure to check for cracking or damage to the sub-frame in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-060, dated August
31, 1998. If any cracking or damage is found, prior to further
flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by either the
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its delegated
agent). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, as
[[Page 54797]]
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must
specifically reference this AD.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Operational Test
(b) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an operational test to determine if the counter-balance motor of the
main baggage bay door functions properly in accordance with
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-060, dated August 31, 1998. Repeat
the operational test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5 days.
If the motor fails during any operational test, within 10 flights
after accomplishing the test, either replace the motor with a new
motor or repair in accordance with the service bulletin, and
accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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.
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
(d) 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 005-08-98.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26278 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]
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