[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2320-2323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-797]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-12596; AD 2002-01-05]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies 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 AD requires you to inspect the MLG radius rod cylinders for the 
required conductivity or hardness standard. This AD also requires you 
to replace any MLG radius rod cylinder that does not meet this 
standard. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 11, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 2321]]

of certain publications listed in the regulations as of February 11, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information 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 this information at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-34-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

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:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This 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.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    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.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an 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 MLG radius rods. This proposal was published in 
the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
October 5, 2001 (66 FR 50894). The NPRM proposed to 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.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 250 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection using 
the eddy current conductivity test:

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

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

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

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

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


[[Page 2322]]

Are There Differences Between This 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 AD does not 
require this action. The FAA recommends that each owner/operator submit 
this information. We are including a note in this AD to reflect this. 
British Aerospace and the British 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.

Compliance Time of This AD

What Is the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The compliance time of this 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

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    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.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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 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 copy of the final 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-01-05 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-12596; 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 airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD 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 tester, or   calendar days       the
 the Rockwell hardness test, the   after February      Accomplishment
 left and right main landing       11, 2002 (the       Instructions
 gear (MLG) radius rods, part      effective date of   section of
 numbers (P/N) 1847-A through      this AD).           British Aerospace
 1847-L, 1848-A through 1848-F,                        Alert Service
 and 1862-A through 1862-L, for                        Bulletin 32-A-
 correct conductivity or                               JA010740,
 hardness standard specified in                        Revision 2,
 the referenced service                                Issued: July 23,
 information.                                          2001, APPH Ltd.
                                                       Service Bulletin
                                                       1847-32-08, dated
                                                       July 2001, APPH
                                                       Ltd. Service
                                                       Bulletin 1862-32-
                                                       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 46%   calendar days       the
 International Aluminum & Copper   after the           Accomplishment
 Standards (IACS) using the eddy   inspection          Instructions
 current conductivity test, or     required in         section of
 less than 79 using the Rockwell   paragraph (d)(1)    British Aerospace
 hardness test, replace the MLG    of this AD.         Alert Service
 radius rod with an FAA-approved                       Bulletin 32-A-
 MLG radius rod that meets the                         JA010740,
 conductivity or hardness                              Revision 2,
 standard specified in the                             Issued: July 23,
 referenced service information.                       2001, APPH Ltd.
                                                       Service Bulletin
                                                       1847-32-08, dated
                                                       July 2001, APPH
                                                       Ltd. Service
                                                       Bulletin 1862-32-
                                                       08, dated July
                                                       2001, and the
                                                       applicable
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual.
 

[[Page 2323]]

 
(3) If the results of the         Within the next     In accordance with
 inspection are equal to or        180 calendar days   the
 greater than 41.5% IACS but       after the           Accomplishment
 less than or equal to 46% IACS    inspection          Instructions
 using the eddy current            required in         section of
 conductivity test, or equal to    paragraph (d)(1)    British Aerospace
 or greater than 79 but less       of this AD.         Alert Service
 than or equal to 87 using the                         Bulletin 32-A-
 Rockwell hardness test, replace                       JA010740,
 the MLG radius rod with an FAA-                       Revision 2,
 approved MLG radius rod that                          Issued: July 23,
 meets the conductivity or                             2001, APPH Ltd.
 hardness requirements specified                       Service Bulletin
 in the referenced service                             1847-32-08, dated
 information.                                          July 2001, APPH
                                                       Ltd. Service
                                                       Bulletin 1862-32-
                                                       08, dated July
                                                       2001, and the
                                                       applicable
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) If the results of the         Not applicable....  In accordance with
 inspection are greater than                           the
 36.5% IACS and less than 41.5%                        Accomplishment
 IACS using the eddy current                           Instructions
 conductivity test, or greater                         section of
 than 87 and less than 90 using                        British Aerospace
 the Rockwell hardness test, no                        Alert Service
 replacement of the MLG radius                         Bulletin 32-A-
 rod is required.                                      JA010740,
                                                       Revision 2,
                                                       Issued: July 23,
                                                       2001, APPH Ltd.
                                                       Service Bulletin
                                                       1847-32-08, dated
                                                       July 2001, APPH
                                                       Ltd. Service
                                                       Bulletin 1862-32-
                                                       08, dated July
                                                       2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Do not install, on any        As of February 11,  In accordance with
 affected airplane, a P/N 1847-A   2002 (the           British Aerospace
 through 1847-L, 1848-A through    effective date of   Alert Service
 1848-F, or 1862-A through 1862-   this AD).           Bulletin 32-A-
 L MLG radius rod, unless it has                       JA010740,
 been inspected and is found to                        Revision 2,
 meet the conductivity or                              Issued: July 23,
 hardness standard specified in                        2001.
 the referenced 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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 32-A-JA010740, 
Revision 2, Issued: July 23, 2001, APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 1847-
32-08, dated July 2001, and APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 1862-32-08, 
dated July 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You can get copies from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. You 
can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, 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 AD Number 
005-07-2001, not dated.

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on February 11, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-797 Filed 1-16-02; 8:45 am]
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