[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 4 (Thursday, January 6, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 729-730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-241]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 4 / Thursday, January 6, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 729]]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 
airplanes. The proposed AD would require inspecting the fuel quantity 
indication system for damage to the insulation of the wiring within the 
fuel tanks. Damage is defined as corrosion (indicated by a dark stain), 
cuts, or nicks. The proposed AD would also require replacing or 
repairing any damaged wiring. 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 detect damage to the insulation of 
the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication 
system, which could result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators 
and/or electrical sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or 
explosion.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 9, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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) 672345; 
facsimile: (01292) 671625. 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, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; facsimile: (816) 329-
3091.

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. 99-CE-72-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. 99-CE-72-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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 Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes. The CAA reports that, during a routine inspection, 
damage to the insulation of the wiring within the wing fuel tanks of 
the fuel quantity indication system on two of the affected airplanes 
was revealed. Further investigation shows that the damage to the 
insulation occurred during factory installation.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, 
could result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or 
electrical sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or 
explosion.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-
JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; and Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841 Revision No. 1: November 12, 1999. These 
documents include procedures for inspecting the fuel quantity 
indication system for damage to the insulation of the wiring within the 
fuel tanks, and replacing or repairing any damaged wiring.
    The CAA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
British AD 003-09-99, dated September 13, 1999, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 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.

[[Page 730]]

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 Jetstream Model 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 fuel quantity indication system for damage to the insulation of the 
wiring within the fuel tanks. Damage is defined as corrosion (indicated 
by a dark stain), cuts, or nicks. The proposed AD would also require 
replacing or repairing any damaged wiring. Accomplishment of the 
proposed actions would be required in accordance with the service 
information previously discussed.

Compliance Time Criteria of the Proposed AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in both calendar time 
and hours time-in-service (TIS). Damage to the insulation of the wires 
in the fuel quantity indicator system could result in corrosion in the 
core conductor. Corrosion damage can then develop regardless of whether 
the airplane is in flight, and may not develop until a later time. 
Therefore, in order to assure that any damage does not go undetected, a 
compliance time of both hours TIS and calendar time (the prevalent one 
being that which occurs first) is proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 115 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 60 
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 AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $414,000, or $3,600 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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. 99-CE-72-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Model 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 (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 in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To detect damage to the insulation of the wiring within the fuel 
tanks of the fuel quantity indication system, which could result in 
a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking 
inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or explosion, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD or within the next 60 calendar days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the 
fuel quantity indication system for damage to the insulation of the 
wiring within the fuel tanks. Damage is defined as corrosion 
(indicated by a dark stain), cuts, or nicks. Prior to further 
flight, replace or repair any damaged wiring. Accomplish these 
actions in accordance with one of the following:
    (1) British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-
JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; or
    (2) British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-
JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; Revision No. 1: 
November 12, 1999.
    (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 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 901 Locust, Room 301, 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 2: 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 the service 
information referenced in this document should be directed to 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 672345; 
facsimile: (01292) 671625. This service information may be examined 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 003-
09-99, dated September 13, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-241 Filed 1-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U