[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 194 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50894-50897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25048]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model HP.137 
Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and 
Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream 
Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes that are equipped with certain main landing gear (MLG) 
radius rods. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the MLG 
radius rod cylinders for the required conductivity or hardness 
standard. This proposed AD would also require you to replace any MLG 
radius rod cylinder that does not meet this standard. This proposed AD 
is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The 
actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent failure 
of the MLG due to incorrectly heat treated MLG radius rod cylinders. 
Such failure during takeoff, landing, or taxi operations, could lead to 
loss of airplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before December 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-34-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; 
facsimile: (01292) 479703. You may also view this information at the 
Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this 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 to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments 
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions 
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may 
view 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 contact we have with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposed AD.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2001-CE-34-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 FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
all British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 
200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes equipped 
with certain main landing gear (MLG) radius rods.
    The CAA reports, that the manufacturer of the MLG radius rods, APPH 
Ltd., incorrectly heat treated a batch of radius rod cylinders, part 
number (P/N) 184811. Incorrect heat treatment of the MLG radius rod 
cylinder causes the part to be below required design strength. This 
results in reduced structural integrity of the part.

[[Page 50895]]

    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the MLG. Such 
failure during takeoff, landing, or taxi operations could lead to loss 
of airplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? The 
following service bulletins apply to this subject:

--British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA-010740, Revision 2, 
Issued: July 23, 2001. This service bulletin specifies inspecting APPH 
Ltd. P/Ns 1847-A through 1847-L and 1862-A through 1862-L MLG radius 
rods;
--APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 1847-32-08, dated July 2001. This 
service bulletin includes procedures for inspecting P/Ns 1847-A through 
1847-L and 1848-A through 1848-F MLG radius rods for required 
conductivity or hardness standard; and
--APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 1862-32-08, dated July 2001. This 
service bulletin includes procedures for inspecting P/Ns 1862-A through 
1862-L and 1848-A through 1848-F MLG radius rods for conductivity or 
hardness standard.

    What action did the CAA take? The CAA classified these service 
bulletins as mandatory and issued British AD Number 005-07-2001, not 
dated, in order to ensure 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 
This 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 Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, 
Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 
airplanes of the same type design that are equipped with the referenced 
MLG radius rods;
--The actions specified in the previously-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 this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to inspect the MLG radius rods for the required conductivity or 
hardness standard and replace any rod that does not meet this standard.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 250 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed inspection using the eddy current conductivity 
test:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total
                                                      Total     cost on
          Labor cost                Parts cost       cost per     U.S.
                                                     airplane  operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour per radius rod (2    No parts required.       $120   $30,000.
 per airplane)  x  $60 = $120.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspection using the Rockwell hardness test:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total
                                                      Total     cost on
          Labor cost                Parts cost       cost per     U.S.
                                                     airplane  operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 workhours per radius rod (2   No parts required.       $600  $150,000.
 per airplane)  x  $60 = $600.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total
  Labor cost for replacement of each main landing     Parts     cost per
                  gear radius rod                      cost     airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 workhours  x  $60 = $300........................     $9,000    $9,300.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Are there differences between this proposed AD and the service 
information? British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA010740, 
Revision 2, Issued: July 23, 2001, specifies reporting the results of 
the inspections to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft. This proposed 
AD does not require this action. The FAA recommends that each owner/
operator submit this information. We are including a note in this 
proposed AD to reflect this. British Aerospace and the British CAA will 
use this information to determine whether further action is necessary.

[[Page 50896]]

    The FAA will evaluate the information from the British CAA and may 
initiate further rulemaking action.

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

    What is the compliance time of this proposed AD? The compliance 
time of this proposed AD is ``within the next 30 calendar days after 
the effective date of this AD''.
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? Failure of the MLG is an unsafe condition; 
however, it is not a direct result of airplane operation. The chance of 
this situation occurring is the same for an airplane with 10 hours TIS 
as it is for an airplane with 500 hours TIS. A calendar time for 
compliance will ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all 
airplanes in a reasonable time period.

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 Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

British Aerospace: Docket No. 2001-CE-34-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 
3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that 
are:
    (1) certificated in any category; and
    (2) equipped with a main landing gear (MLG) radius rod, APPH 
Ltd. part number 1847-A through 1847-L, 1848-A through 1848-F, or 
1862-A through 1862-L.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MLG due to 
incorrectly heat treated MLG radius rod cylinders. Such failure 
during takeoff, landing, or taxi operations could lead to loss of 
airplane control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect, using an eddy    Within the next 30    In accordance with
 current conductivity          calendar days after   the Accomplishment
 tester, or the Rockwell       the effective date    Instructions
 hardness test, the left and   of this AD.           section of British
 right main landing gear                             Aerospace Alert
 (MLG) radius rods, part                             Service Bulletin 32-
 numbers (P/N) 1847-A                                A-JA010740,
 through 1847-L, 1848-A                              Revision 2, Issued:
 through 1848-F, and 1862-A                          July 23, 2001, APPH
 through 1862-L, for correct                         Ltd. Service
 conductivity or hardness                            Bulletin 1847-32-
 standard specified in the                           08, dated July
 referenced service                                  2001, APPH Ltd.
 information.                                        Service Bulletin
                                                     1862-38-08, dated
                                                     July 2001, and the
                                                     applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
(2) If the results of the     Within the next 90    In accordance with
 inspection are greater than   calendar days after   British Aerospace
 46% International Aluminum    the inspection        Alert Service
 & Copper Standards (IACS)     required in           Bulletin 32-A-
 using the eddy current        paragraph d(1) of     JA010740, Revision
 conductivity test, or less    this AD.              2, Issued: July 23,
 than 79 using the Rockwell                          2001, APPH Ltd.
 hardness test, replace the                          Service Bulletin
 MLG radius rod with an FAA-                         1847-32-08, dated
 approved MLG radius rod                             July 2001, and APPH
 meets the conductivity or                           Ltd. Service
 hardness standard specified                         Bulletin 1862-32-
 in the referenced service                           08, dated July
 information.                                        2001.
(3) If the results of the     Within the next 180   In accordance with
 inspection are equal to or    calendar days after   British Aerospace
 greater than 41.5% but less   the inspection        Alert Service
 than or equal to 46% IACS     required in           Bulletin 32-A-
 using the eddy current        paragraph d(1) of     JA010740, Revision
 conductivity test, or equal   this AD.              2, Issued: July 23,
 to or greater than 79 but                           2001, APPH Ltd.
 less than or equal to 87                            Service Bulletin
 using the Rockwell hardness                         1847-32-08, dated
 test, replace the MLG                               July 2001, and APPH
 radius rod with an FAA-                             Ltd. Service
 approved MLG radius rod                             Bulletin 1862-32-
 that meets the conductivity                         08, dated July
 or hardness requirements                            2001.
 specified in the referenced
 service information.
(4) If the results of the     Not applicable......  In accordance with
 inspection are in the range                         APPH Ltd. Service
 of 36.5 and 41.5% using the                         Bulletin 1847-32-
 eddy current conductivity                           08, dated July
 test, or in the range of 87                         2001, and APPH Ltd.
 and 90 using the Rockwell                           Service Bulletin
 hardness test, no                                   1862-32-08, dated
 replacement of the MLG                              July 2001.
 radius rod is required.

[[Page 50897]]

 
(5) Do not install, on any    As of the effective   In accordance with
 affected airplane, a P/N      date of this AD.      British Aerospace
 1847-A through 1847-L, 1848-                        Alert Service
 A through 1848-F, or 1862-A                         Bulletin 32-A-
 through 1862-L MLG radius                           JA010740, Revision
 rod, unless it has been                             2, Issued: July 23,
 inspected and is found to                           2001.
 meet the conductivity or
 hardness standard specified
 in the service information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: The compliance time of this AD differs from that 
specified in British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA-
010740, Revision 2, Issued July 23, 2001. This AD takes precedence 
over any other information.


    Note 2: British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 32-JA010740, 
Revision 2, Issued: July 23, 2001, specifies reporting the results 
of the inspections to British

    Aerospace Regional Aircraft. The FAA highly recommends that each 
owner/operator submit this information. British Aerospace and the 
British Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA) will use this 
information to determine whether further action is necessary. The 
FAA will evaluate the information from the British CAA and may 
initiate further rulemaking action.
    (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 3: 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 Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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 get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; 
facsimile: (01292) 479703. You may view these documents at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD Number 
005-07-2001, not dated.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 1, 2001.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-25048 Filed 10-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P