[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 29, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52373-52375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21997]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-152-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 all British Aerospace (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes. This proposal would require a functional check of 
the rudder pedals to ensure full and free movement at all rudder pedal 
positions, and modification of the forward rudder pedal boxes. This 
action is necessary to prevent restricted movement of the rudder pedals 
due to structural interference, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-152-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-152-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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,

[[Page 52374]]

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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-152-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. 2000-NM-152-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 all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes. The CAA advises that, during maintenance of two airplanes, 
an operator found that rudder pedal parts had rubbed against the rudder 
pedal box. On one of these airplanes, a rudder pedal bolt also had 
caught on floor structure. The restrictions were worse at full rudder 
travel and maximum rudder travel adjustment.
    Investigation revealed that these conditions are affected by build 
tolerances. Cross installation of floor panels from left to right could 
cause the conditions. These conditions could result in restricted 
movement of the rudder pedals due to structural interference. Such 
restricted movement, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-
A27-055, dated March 10, 2000. Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the alert service bulletin describes procedures for a 
functional check of the left and right rudder pedals to ensure full and 
free movement at all rudder pedal positions. Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin describes 
procedures for modification of the forward pedal box. This modification 
involves:
     Moving the rudder pedals, and measuring and correcting (if 
necessary) the clearances between the rod attachment bolt and the 
flange of the floor channel; and
     Repeating the functional check of the rudder pedals 
(described in Part 1), as necessary.
Accomplishment of the modification specified in the alert service 
bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The CAA classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued British airworthiness directive 002-03-2000 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 alert service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 58 British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed 
AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed functional check, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,480, or $60 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $20,880, or $360 per airplane.
    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. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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 proposal would not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action''

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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 
2000-NM-152-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Jetstream 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 (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 restricted movement of the rudder pedals due to 
structural interference, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Functional Check

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a functional check of the left and right rudder pedals to ensure 
full and free movement at all rudder pedal positions, in accordance 
with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A27-055, dated March 10, 2000. If any 
restriction in rudder pedal movement is found, prior to further 
flight, accomplish the modification required by paragraph (b) of 
this AD.

Modification

    (b) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the forward pedal boxes [including moving the rudder pedals and 
measuring clearances between the rod attachment bolt and the flange 
of the floor channel; correcting any incorrect clearances; and 
repeating the functional check of the rudder pedals specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD] in accordance with Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-
A27-055, dated March 10, 2000.

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, 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 2: 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 002-03-2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21997 Filed 8-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U