[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3832-3836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1677]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-56-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).

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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. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the 
steering jack piston rod for cracks and replace if necessary; measure 
the torque setting of the steering jack piston rod end fitting and stop 
bolt; and measure the thickness of the tab washers. This proposed AD 
would also require you to calculate a new safe life limit for the 
steering jack piston rod based on the results of the proposed 
inspection and the proposed measurements. 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 cracks in the steering jack piston rod, which could result in 
failure of the steering jack piston rod. Such failure could lead to 
loss of steering control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and 
taxi operations.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before February 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-56-AD, 901 
Locust, Room

[[Page 3833]]

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-56-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 proposed rule. You may view all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of the proposed 
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-56-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. The CAA reports that the steering jack piston rod 
failed on one of the affected airplanes while in service. The CAA 
determined that the failure of the piston rod was caused by fatigue 
cracking on the piston rod end fitting. Fatigue cracking was caused by 
applying excessive torque to the steering jack piston rod end fitting 
during assembly.
    The safe life limit for the steering jack piston rod is currently 
45,000 ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles. Failure of the above-mentioned 
steering jack piston rod occurred at 2,132 GAG cycles. Because of the 
possibility that excessive torque had been applied to the steering jack 
piston rod during assembly, the safe life limit for this part has been 
reduced.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
failure of the steering jack piston rod. Such failure could lead to 
loss of steering control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and 
taxi operations.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 
32-JA020741, Original issue: November 2, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information? This Service 
Bulletin Specifies:

--Inspecting the steering jack piston rod for cracks and replacing if 
necessary;
--Measuring the torque setting of the steering jack piston rod end 
fitting and stop bolt;
--Measuring the thickness of the tab washers; and
--Calculating a new safe life limit for the piston rod.

    This service bulletin also references APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 
32-76 (pages 1, 2, and 4 through 7, dated October 2002; and page 3, 
Erratum 1, dated November 2002), which includes procedures for 
accomplishing the actions specified in British Aerospace Jetstream 
Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-JA020741, Original issue: November 2, 
2002.

What Action Did the CAA Take?

    The CAA classified these service bulletins as mandatory in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom. The CAA classifying a service bulletin as mandatory is the 
same in the United Kingdom as the FAA issuing an AD in the United 
States.

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 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 require you to inspect the steering jack 
piston rod for cracks and replace if necessary; measure the torque 
setting of the steering jack piston rod end fitting and

[[Page 3834]]

stop bolt; and measure the thickness of the tab washers. This proposed 
AD would also require you to calculate a new safe life limit for the 
steering jack piston rod based on the results of the proposed 
inspection and the proposed measurements,

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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total  cost
              Labor cost                      Parts cost             per        Total Cost  on U.S.  operators
                                                                  airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 = $60...............  No parts required......          $60   $60 x 250 = $15,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Labor cost                       Parts cost                Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 workhours X $60 = $240......................          $5,300   $240 + $5,300 = $5,540
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Compliance Time of this Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD is ``within the next 90 
days or 200 ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first.''

Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time and Operational 
Time?

    Failure of the steering jack piston rod is only unsafe during 
airplane operation; this condition is not a result of the number of 
times the airplane is operated. The cause of the unsafe condition is 
the result of incorrect torque settings used on the steering jack 
piston rod end fitting during assembly. We have no way of determining 
when the unsafe condition occurred on the affected airplanes. For this 
reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time 
and operational time should be utilized in this proposed AD in order to 
assure that the unsafe condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over 
time.

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. 2002-CE-56-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 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 cracks in the 
steering jack piston rod, which could result in failure of the 
steering jack piston rod. Such failure could lead to loss of 
steering control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and taxi 
operations.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 3835]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Insepct the steering      Inspect within the    In accordance with
 jack piston rod for cracks.   next 90 days or 200   the procedures in
(i) If cracks are found,       ground-air-ground     APPH Ltd. Service
 replace the cracked           (GAG) cycles after    Bulletin 32-76
 steering jack piston rod.     the effective date    (pages 1, 2, and 4
 Install the new steering      of this AD,           through 7, dated
 jack piston rod using a       whichever occurs      October 2002; and
 torque setting of 175 lbf     first. Replace        page 3, Erratum 1,
 (pound force) inch or 20 Nm   cracked steering      dated November
 (Newton meters) when          jack piston rods or   2002), as
 tightening the end fitting    determine torque      referenced in
 and stop bolt.                settings prior to     Britich Aerospace
(ii) If no cracks are found,   further flight.       Jetstream Mandatory
 determine the torque                                Service Bulletin 32-
 setting of the steering                             JA020741, Original
 jack piston rod end fitting                         Issue: November 2,
 and stop bolt..                                     2002.
-----------------------------
(2) If the torque setting of  Prior to further      In accordance with
 the steering jack piston      flight after the      the procedures in
 rod end fitting or stop       inspection required   APPH Ltd. Service
 bolt is greater than 175      in paragraph (d)(1)   Bulletin 32-76,
 lbf inch or 20 Nm and is      of this AD.           (pages 1, 2, and 4
 equal to or les than 435                            through 7, dated
 lbf inch or 49 Nm:                                  October 2002; and
(i) Calculate the new safe                           page 3, Erratum 1,
 life limit for the steering                         dated November
 jack piston rod; and                                2002), as
(ii) Incorporate the                                 referenced in
 following into the Aircraft                         British Aerospace
 Logbook: ``In accordance                            Jetstream Mandatory
 with AD**--**--**, the                              Service Bulletin 32-
 steering jack piston rod is                         JA020741, Original
 life limited to------.''                            Issue: November 2,
                                                     2002.
-----------------------------
(3) If the torque setting of  Prior to further      In accordance with
 the steering jack piston      flight after the      the procedures in
 rod end fitting or stop       inspection required   APPH Ltd. Service
 bolt is greater than 435      in paragraph (d)(1)   Bulletin 32-76,
 lbf inch or 49 Nm, measure    of this AD.           (pages 1, 2, and 4
 the deformation thickness                           through 7, dated
 of the tab washers.                                 October 2002; and
(i) If the tab washer                                page 3, Erratum 1,
 deformation thickness is                            dated November
 greater than 0.001 inch and                         2002), as
 is equal to or less than                            referenced in
 0.005 inch, calculate a new                         British Aerospace
 safe life limit for the                             Jetstream Mandatory
 steering jack piston rod,                           Service Bulletin 32-
 and incorporate the                                 JA020741, Original
 following into the Aircraft                         Issue: November 2,
 Logbook: ``In accordance                            2002.
 with AD **--**--**--, the
 steering jack piston rod is
 life limited to ------.''.
(ii) If the tab washer
 deformation thickness is
 greater than 0.005 inch,
 replace the steering jack
 piston rod using the torque
 settings specified in
 paragraph (d)(1) of this
 AD..
-----------------------------
(4) Do not install any        As of the effective   In accordance with
 steering jack piston rod      date of this AD.      the procedures in
 unless it has been                                  APPH Ltd. Service
 inspected, determined to be                         Bulletin 32-76,
 free of cracks, and the                             (pages 1, 2, and 4
 safe life limit has been                            through 7, dated
 established.                                        October 2002; and
                                                     page 3, Erratum 1,
                                                     dated November
                                                     2002), as
                                                     referenced in
                                                     British Aerospace
                                                     Jetstream Mandatory
                                                     Service Bulletin 32-
                                                     JA020741, Original
                                                     Issue: November 2,
                                                     2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: If the owners/operators of the affected airplanes have 
not kept track of ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles, hours time-in-
service (TIS) may be substituted by calculating 1.5 GAG cycles per 
hour TIS. For example, 3,000 GAG cycles would equal 2,000 hours TIS.

    (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 2: 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-JA020741, Original Issue: 
November 2, 2002. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory 
by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).



[[Page 3836]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 15, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1677 Filed 1-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P