[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 215 (Monday, November 6, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66497-66498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27946]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-348-AD; Amendment 39-11955; AD 2000-22-09]
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 certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes, that requires inspection of certain components, and 
corrective action, if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent loosening of the locknut holding the main landing 
gear (MLG) piston to the ramrod, which could result in detachment of 
the MLG piston from the ramrod and loss of hydraulic control of the 
MLG. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective December 11, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
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 certain British Aerospace 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on August 29, 2000 (65 FR 52371). That action proposed to require 
inspection of certain components, and corrective action, if necessary.

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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,540, or $60 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. 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does 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

[[Page 66498]]

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:

2000-22-09  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-11955. Docket 99-NM-348-AD.

    Applicability: Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certified in any 
category; on which any APPH main landing gear (MLG) retract actuator 
having part number AIR86496, any suffix, is installed.

    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 loosening of the locknut holding the MLG piston to 
the ramrod, which could result in detachment of the MLG piston from 
the ramrod and loss of hydraulic control of the MLG, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Inspect the airplane records to determine the overhaul status and 
number of landings on the left and right MLG retract actuators, and 
inspect the actuators for the presence of ink mark ``32-03,'' in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-32-068, Revision 1, 
dated May 12, 2000.
    (1) If both actuators have been overhauled and ink mark ``32-
03'' is present on each actuator, no further action is required by 
this AD.
    (2) For any actuator that has been overhauled but does not have 
ink mark ``32-03'' present on the actuator: Within 2 years after the 
effective date of this AD, accomplish all applicable corrective 
actions for that actuator (including inspection of locknut peening, 
lockwasher replacement, and ink marking), in accordance with Part 3 
or Part 4, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.
    (3) For any actuator that has not been overhauled: Prior to 
further flight, or prior to the accumulation of 8,000 total landings 
on that actuator, whichever occurs later, replace the actuator with 
an overhauled actuator having ink mark ``32-03'' present, in 
accordance with Part 1 or Part 2, as applicable, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

    Note 2: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-32-068, Revision 1, dated 
May 12, 2000, refers to APPH Service Bulletin AIR86496-32-03, 
Revision 2, dated March 2000, as an additional source of service 
information for the inspection of locknut peening and the lockwasher 
replacement.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no APPH MLG retract 
actuator having P/N AIR86496, any suffix, may be installed on any 
airplane unless the actuator is marked with ink mark ``32-03.''

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. 
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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-32-068, Revision 1, dated May 12, 2000. 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 
American Support, 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 007-09-99.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 11, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 25, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-27946 Filed 11-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U