[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51797-51800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2000-09-13, which currently requires you to inspect the fuel 
quantity indication system for damage to the insulation of the wiring 
within the fuel tanks on British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 
airplanes and requires you to repair or replace damaged wiring. This 
proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2000-09-13 and require you 
to replace the fuel quantity indication system wiring harness with 
improved design parts, inspect the fuel boost pump area for damage, and 
replace any damaged component. 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 detect, correct, and prevent damage 
to the insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel 
quantity indication system. If not detected, corrected, and prevented, 
such damaged wiring could result in damage to the fuel boost pump and a 
malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking inside 
the fuel tank with consequent fire or explosion.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-25-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 also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    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) 672345; 
facsimile: (01292) 671625. 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 mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

[[Page 51798]]

Discussion

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    Reports of damage to the insulation of the wiring within the wing 
fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication system on two British 
Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes caused us to issue AD 2000-09-
13, Amendment 39-11722 (65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000). This AD requires 
you to accomplish the following on all British Aerospace Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes:
--inspect the fuel quantity indication system for damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks; and
--repair or replace damaged wiring.

    These actions must be accomplished in accordance with British 
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original 
Issue: September 8, 1999; or British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; Revision No. 
1: November 12, 1999.

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 continue to exist in the fuel quantity insulation wiring 
area on all British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The CAA 
reports that the existing fuel quantity indication system wiring 
harness is composed of ``equipment grade'' wiring instead of ``aircraft 
grade'' wiring. This ``equipment grade'' wiring has a thinner 
insulation wall and will eventually deteriorate regardless of whether 
repaired as required by AD 2000-09-13.
    In addition, the current wiring configuration can rub on the 
components in the fuel boost pump area and cause consequent damage.

What Are The Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If not detected, corrected, and prevented, damage to the insulation 
of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication 
system could result in the following:
--damage to the fuel boost pump;
--a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking 
inside the fuel tank; and
--a consequent fire or explosion.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin 28-JM8226, 
Original Issue: March 11, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:
--inspecting the fuel boost pump area for damage and replacing any 
damaged component;
--replacing the fuel quantity indication system wiring harness with 
improved design parts; and
--rerouting the wiring harness installation.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
CAA AD 001-03-2002 in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    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 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 Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes of 
the same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--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 supersede AD 2000-09-13 and would:
--retain the actions of AD 2000-09-13;
--require you to inspect the fuel boost pump area for damage and 
replace any damaged component; and
--require you to replace the fuel quantity indication system wiring 
harness with improved design parts and reroute the wiring harness 
installation.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 200 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 and replacement:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Total cost
               Labor cost                          Parts cost                per          Total cost on U.S.
                                                                           airplane            operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
130 workhours  x  $60=$7,800...........  $1,200 per airplane...........       $9,000            $9,000  x  200 =
                                                                                                     $1,800,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no method of determining the number of repairs each 
owner/operator would incur based on the results of the proposed 
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such repair. The extent of damage would vary on each airplane.

Compliance Time of this Proposed AD

Why Are Certain Compliance Times Presented in Calendar Time Instead of 
Hours Time-in-Service (TIS)?

    Certain compliance times in this proposed AD are presented in 
calendar time instead of hours TIS because the unsafe condition 
specified by this proposed AD is caused by wire insulation 
deterioration and wear. While this is a direct result of airplane 
operation, it is not necessarily due to the number of times or hours 
the airplane is used. The current fuel quantity wiring configuration 
allows for the potential for rubbing. This rubbing on the ``equipment 
grade'' wiring could

[[Page 51799]]

lead to damaged wiring more quickly than ``aircraft grade'' wiring, and 
frays and nicks could lead to wiring deterioration regardless of 
whether the airplane is operated.
    Therefore, to ensure that the unsafe condition specified in this 
proposed AD does not go undetected for a long period of time, the 
compliance is presented in calendar time instead of hours TIS. This 
will also allow the owners/operators to work the proposed actions into 
regularly scheduled maintenance.
    The proposed AD, if followed with a final rule, would require both 
the installation of ``aircraft grade'' wiring and a rerouting of the 
wiring to prevent future rubbing.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2000-09-13, Amendment 39-11722 (65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000) and adding a 
new AD to read as follows:

BRITISH AEROSPACE: Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-09-
13, Amendment 39-11722.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (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 detect, correct, and prevent damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity 
indication system. If not detected, corrected, and prevented, such 
damaged wiring could result in damage to the fuel boost pump and a 
malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking 
inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or explosion.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the fuel          At whichever of the   In accordance with
 quantity indication system    following occurs      either British
 for damage to the             first, unless         Aerospace Jetstream
 insulation of the wiring      already               Alert Service
 within the fuel tanks.        accomplished:         Bulletin 28-A-
 Damage is defined as          within the next 200   JA990841, Original
 corrosion (indicated by a     hours time-in-        Issue: September 8,
 dark stain), cuts, or nicks.  service (TIS) after   1999; or British
                               June 23, 2000 (the    Aerospace Jetstream
                               effective date AD     Alert Service
                               2000-09-13); or on    Bulletin 28-A-
                               or before August      JA990841, Original
                               21, 2000 (60 days     Issue: September 8,
                               after the effective   1999, Revision No.
                               date of AD 2000-09-   1: November 12,
                               13).                  1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Replace or repair any     Prior to further      In accordance with
 damaged wiring.               flight after the      either British
                               inspection required   Aerospace Jetstream
                               by paragraph (d)(1)   Alert Service
                               of this AD.           Bulletin 28-A-
                                                     JA990841, Original
                                                     Issue: September 8,
                                                     1999; or British
                                                     Aerospace Jetstream
                                                     Alert Service
                                                     Bulletin 28-A-
                                                     JA990841, Original
                                                     Issue: September 8,
                                                     1999, Revision No.
                                                     1: November 12,
                                                     1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Inspect the fuel boost    Inspect within the    In accordance with
 pump area for damage and      next 12 months        British Aerospace
 replace any damaged           after the effective   Jetstream Service
 component.                    date of this AD,      Bulletin 28-JM8226,
                               unless already        Original Issue:
                               accomplished          March 11, 2002.
                               Replace any damaged
                               component prior to
                               further flight
                               after the
                               inspection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Replace the fuel          Within the next 12    In accordance with
 quantity indication system    months after the      British Aerospace
 wiring harness with           effective date of     Jetstream Service
 improved design parts and     this AD, unless       Bulletin 28-JM8226,
 reroute the wiring harness    already               Original Issue:
 installation This             accomplished.         March 11, 2002.
 replacement incorporates
 Jetstream Modification
 JM8226.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Only install a fuel       As of the effective   Not applicable.
 quantity indication system    date of this AD.
 wiring harness that
 incorporates Jetstream
 Modification JM8226 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent parts).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 51800]]

    (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 Standards Office 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 Standards Office Manager.

    Note 1: 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) 672345; 
facsimile: (01292) 671625. You may view these documents at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (i) Does this AD action affect any existing AD actions? This 
amendment supersedes AD 2000-09-13, Amendment 39-11722.


    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA AD 001-03-
2002, as specified in British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 
28-JM8226, Original Issue: March 11, 2002.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 2, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 02-20137 Filed 8-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P