[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48987-48989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23828]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-151-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(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 certain BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. This proposal would require a 
functional test of the shortening mechanism of the nose landing gear 
for free movement of the capsule in the upper and lower bearings, and 
corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent 
damage to the capsule, which could result in inability to extend the 
nose landing gear in normal or emergency situations, and consequent 
injury to passengers and flight crew. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-151-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. 2001-NM-151-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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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,

[[Page 48988]]

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 2001-NM-151-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. 2001-NM-151-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports that previously issued service 
information provided inadequate procedures for the installation of 
corrosion resistant replacement bearings in the nose landing gear on 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. If 
the bearings are not installed correctly, they can restrict free 
movement of the capsule in the shortening mechanism of the nose landing 
gear. This condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to the 
capsule, inability to extend the nose landing gear in normal or 
emergency situations, and consequent injury to passengers and flight 
crew.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(Jetstream) Service Bulletin J41-32-075, dated April 18, 2001, which 
references APPH Precision Hydraulics Service Bulletin AIR83586-32-16, 
dated February 2001, for accomplishment of an initial functional test 
of the shortening mechanism of the nose landing gear for free movement 
of the capsule in the upper and lower bearings; and rework of the nose 
landing gear if the capsule does not move freely.
    The BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) service bulletin 
describes procedures for corrective actions for failure of the 
functional test specified above. The corrective actions include a full 
functional test of the extension/retraction system of the nose landing 
gear and repeating those tests at a certain interval if the landing 
gear extends/retracts correctly. If the landing gear does not extend/
retract, the service bulletin specifies immediate replacement of the 
landing gear with new landing gear. The Civil Aviation Authority, which 
is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane

    This airplane model is manufactured in 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.

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 service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed functional test, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the functional test proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $7,080, or $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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'' 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:

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft): Docket 2001-NM-151-AD.

    Applicability: Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, as listed in BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Service Bulletin J41-32-
075, dated April 18, 2001, 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 (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or

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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 damage to the capsule in the upper and lower bearings 
of the shortening mechanism of the nose landing gear, which could 
result in inability to extend the nose landing gear in normal or 
emergency situations, and consequent injury to passengers and flight 
crew, accomplish the following:

Functional Test/Corrective Action

    (a) Within 300 flight hours or 60 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever comes first: Do a functional test of the 
shortening mechanism of the nose landing gear for free movement of 
the capsule in the upper and lower bearings, according to APPH 
Precision Hydraulics Service Bulletin AIR83586-32-16, dated February 
2001. If the capsule does not move freely, before further flight, do 
the actions specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable. If the capsule moves freely no further action is 
required by this paragraph.
    (1) Rework according to APPH Precision Hydraulics Service 
Bulletin AIR83586-32-16, dated February 2001.
    (2) If the rework is not done, before further flight, do a full 
functional test of the extension/retraction system of the nose 
landing gear according to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(Jetstream) Service Bulletin J41-32-075, dated April 18, 2001; and 
do the actions specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (i) If the nose landing gear extends and retracts correctly, 
repeat the full functional test every 50 flight hours according to 
the service bulletin. Within 300 flight hours after the initial 
test, do the requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, which ends 
the repetitive testing specified in this paragraph.
    (ii) If the nose landing gear does not extend and retract 
correctly, before further flight, replace the nose landing gear with 
new landing gear according to the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 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

    (c) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 18, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-23828 Filed 9-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U