[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63553-63556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27295]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-83-AD]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream 
series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes that are 
equipped with certain nose landing gear units. The proposed AD would 
require you to inspect the steering jack assembly to assure proper 
clearance between the bush heads on the steering plates and the shim on 
the steering jack trunnions and to assure that there is adequate 
lubrication at both trunnions and the eye end fitting. The proposed AD 
would also require you to adjust the clearance and provide adequate 
lubrication, as necessary. 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 prevent cracked steering jack piston rods caused by 
inadequate clearance or inadequate lubrication of the steering jack 
pivot points. The condition could result in failure of the nose wheel 
steering system with consequent loss of airplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before November 22, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-83-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) 479888; 
facsimile: (01292) 479703. 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 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; facsimile: (816) 329-
4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on the proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on 
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. The FAA will consider all comments received on or 
before the closing date. We may amend the proposed rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
proposed AD action and determining whether we need to take additional 
rulemaking action.
    Are there any specific portions of the proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in 
the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that 
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that

[[Page 63554]]

concerns the substantive parts of the proposed AD.
    We are re-examining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires Federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on 
whether the style of this document is clearer, and any other 
suggestions you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications 
that affect you. You can get more information about the Presidential 
memorandum and the plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov. 
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 99-CE-83-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard back 
to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on certain British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and 
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports incidents 
where cracking has occurred at the base of the thread in the steering 
jack piston rod, part number 618212, in the nose landing gear unit. The 
condition could occur on the referenced airplanes that are equipped 
with nose landing gear unit 1873, B00A702852A, B00A703064A, or 
B00A703056A. ]
    Inadequate clearance or inadequate lubrication of the steering jack 
pivot points can result in unusually high operational loads. These 
loads could result in such cracks in the steering jack piston rod.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? A 
cracked steering jack piston rod could result in failure of the nose 
wheel steering system with consequent loss of airplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? British 
Aerospace has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-JA 981043, dated 
March 5, 1999. This service bulletin:
     Specifies inspecting the steering jack assembly to assure 
proper clearance between the bush heads on the steering plates and the 
shim on the steering jack trunnions and to assure that there is 
adequate lubrication at both trunnions and the eye end fitting;
     Specifies adjusting the clearance and providing adequate 
lubrication, as necessary; and
     References APPH Ltd. Service Newsletter, Issue 2, 
Jetstream 31 Steering Jack Part Number 618200. The procedures to 
accomplish the above-referenced actions are included in this service 
newsletter.
    What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued British AD Number 012-03-99, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
These airplane models are manufactured in the United Kingdom and are 
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 FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; 
reviewed all available information, including the service information 
referenced above; and determined that:
     The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or 
could develop on other British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 
200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes of the same type 
design;
     The actions specified in the referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
     AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe 
condition.
    What would the proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to inspect the steering jack assembly to assure proper clearance 
between the bush heads on the steering plates and the shim on the 
steering jack trunnions and to assure that there is adequate 
lubrication at both trunnions and the eye end fitting. The proposed AD 
would also require you to adjust the clearance and provide adequate 
lubrication, as necessary.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with 
APPH Ltd. Service Newsletter, Issue 2, Jetstream 31 Steering Jack Part 
Number 618200, as referenced in British Aerospace Mandatory Service 
Bulletin 32-JA 981043, dated March 5, 1999.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would the proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
the proposed AD would affect 300 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of the proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Total cost on
               Labor cost                         Parts cost            Total cost per airplane    U.S. airplane
                                                                                                     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour.............  No parts required to        $60.......................         $18,000
                                           accomplish the inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
adjustments that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such adjustments:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          airplane.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour.......  No parts necessary               $60
                                     for adjustment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 63555]]

Regulatory Impact

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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, under 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. FAA amends Section 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

British Aerospace:--Docket No. 99-CE-83-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD?
    This AD affects Models HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and 
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that 
are:
    (1) equipped with a nose landing gear unit 1873, B00A702852A, 
B00A703064A, or B00A703056A; and
    (2) certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with 
this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent cracked steering jack piston rods 
caused by inadequate clearance or inadequate lubrication of the 
steering jack pivot points. The condition could result in failure of 
the nose wheel steering system with consequent loss of airplane 
control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                 Compliance time       Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the steering jack     Within the next     Accomplish in
 assembly to assure proper         200 hours time-in-  accordance with
 clearance between the bush        service (TIS)       the instructions
 heads on the steering plates      after the           in APPH Ltd.
 and the shim on the steering      effective date of   Service
 jack trunnions and to assure      this AD, unless     Newsletter, Issue
 that there is adequate            already             2, Jetstream 31
 lubrication at both trunnions     accomplished.       Steering Jack
 and the eye end fitting.                              Part Number
                                                       618200, as
                                                       referenced in
                                                       British Aerospace
                                                       the Mandatory
                                                       Service Bulletin
                                                       32-JA 981043
                                                       dated March 5,
                                                       1999.
(2) Adjust the clearance and      Prior to further    Accomplish in
 provide adequate lubrication,     flight after the    accordance with
 as necessary.                     inspection          the instructions
                                   required by         in APPH Ltd.
                                   paragraph (d)(1)    Service
                                   of this AD.         Newsletter, Issue
                                                       2, Jetstream 31
                                                       Steering Jack
                                                       Part Number
                                                       618200, as
                                                       referenced in
                                                       British Aerospace
                                                       Mandatory Service
                                                       Bulletin 32-JA
                                                       981043, dated
                                                       March 5, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: The FAA is proposing other AD action that would require 
installing a modified nose landing gear steering actuator piston 
rod. Incorporating this action does not justify the need to inspect 
the piston rod for cracks.

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mr. S.M. Nagarajan, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. You may examine these 
documents at 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 012-
03-99.



[[Page 63556]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-27295 Filed 10-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P