[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 5, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75879-75881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30950]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-224-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 supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all British Aerospace 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, that currently requires repetitive 
inspections to detect loose or migrated levers of the elevator cable 
tension regulators, and replacement of the regulator assembly with a 
new assembly, if necessary. This action would require modification of 
the elevator cable tension regulator lever assembly, terminating the 
repetitive inspections. The 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 the elevator cable tension regulator from becoming 
detached from the splined shaft of the assembly, which could result in 
difficulty adjusting the elevators, leading to reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 4, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-224-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-224-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 AD 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone (425) 227-2125; 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-224-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.

[[Page 75880]]

2000-NM-224-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

    On December 17, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-26-18, amendment 39-
11478 (64 FR 72531, December 28, 1999) applicable to all British 
Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, to require repetitive 
inspections to detect loose or migrated levers of the elevator cable 
tension regulators, and replacement of the regulator assembly with a 
new assembly, if necessary. That action was prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The requirements of that AD are intended to 
detect and correct loose or migrated regulator levers of the elevator 
cable tension regulators, which could result in reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    In the preamble to AD 99-26-18, the FAA indicated that the action 
required by that AD was considered ``interim action'' until final 
action was identified, at which time further rulemaking might be 
considered. Since the issuance of AD 99-26-18, British Aerospace has 
issued Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-059, dated May 31, 2000, which 
describes procedures for modification of the elevator cable tension 
regulator assembly, which eliminates the need for repetitive 
inspections of the regulator assembly. The modification involves 
removing the existing bolt, nut, cotter pin, and washers and installing 
a new locking clip, sleeves, bolt, nut, cotter pin, and washers. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
    Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-059 refers to Pacific Scientific 
Service Bulletin 25-1128, dated April 15, 2000, as an additional source 
of service information for accomplishment of the modification of the 
elevator cable tension regulators. Pacific Scientific Company has 
designed a secondary locking clip, which, when installed under the 
bolt, will prevent the elevator cable tension regulator from becoming 
detached from the splined shaft of the regulator assembly.
    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, has classified the Jetstream service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued British airworthiness directive 006-
05-2000 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 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, 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 AD

    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 supersede AD 99-26-18 to 
continue to require inspection of the elevator cable tension regulator 
lever assembly and to require modification of the elevator cable 
tension regulators. The modification would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-059.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 57 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be 
affected by this proposed AD. The repetitive inspection that is 
currently required by AD 99-26-18 takes approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required 
actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $120 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The modification that is proposed in this AD would take 
approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. There would be no charge for required 
parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $20,520, 
or $360 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished the 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 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'' 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 removing amendment 39-11478 (64 FR 
72531, December 28, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket 
2000-NM-224-AD. Supersedes AD 99-26-18, Amendment 39-11478.

    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 (e) of 
this AD.

[[Page 75881]]

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 the elevator cable tension regulators from becoming 
detached from the splined shaft of the assembly, which could result 
in difficulty adjusting the elevators, leading to reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Certain Actions Required by AD 99-26-18

Inspection

    (a) Within 7 weeks after February 1, 2000 (the effective date of 
AD 99-26-18, amendment 39-11478), perform a detailed visual 
inspection of the elevator cable tension regulator lever assembly to 
detect discrepancies (including looseness and migration along the 
splines of the elevator cable tension regulator assembly), in 
accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated 
September 14, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 flight hours until accomplishment of paragraph 
(c) of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

New Actions Required by This AD

Modification

    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further flight, 
perform the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (c) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD: Within 12 
months after the effective date of this AD, modify the elevator 
cable tension regulators in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-27-059, dated May 31, 2000.
    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any elevator cable tension regulator lever assembly, unless that 
assembly has been modified in accordance with the requirements of 
paragraph (c) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 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

    (f) 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 006-05-2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 29, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30950 Filed 12-4-00; 8:45 am]
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