[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21401-21402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8761]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-288-AD; Amendment 39-13580; AD 2004-08-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 
4101 airplanes, that requires a review of airplane maintenance records 
and an inspection of the nose landing gear (NLG) to determine the part 
number of the steering pinion, and follow-on/corrective actions as 
applicable. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the steering 
pinion in the NLG, which could result in loss of steering and possible 
damage to the airplane during takeoff and landing. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 26, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 26, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on February 25, 2004 (69 FR 8576). That action proposed to 
require a review of airplane maintenance records and an inspection of 
the nose landing gear (NLG) to determine the part number (P/N) of the 
steering pinion, and follow-on/corrective actions as applicable.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 57 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it will take approximately 14 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the identification of the P/N for the 
steering pinion in Part 1 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service 
Bulletin J41-32-076, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work 
hour. The cost for a temporary placard, if required, would be minimal. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the P/N identification is 
estimated to be $51,870, or $910 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to replace a steering pinion per 
Part 2 of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-076, 
it will take approximately 16 work hours per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. The manufacturer of the NLG will 
provide parts to affected operators at no cost. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the replacement is estimated to be $1,040 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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.
    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

[[Page 21402]]

criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been 
prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A 
copy of it may be obtained from 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

0
Accordingly, pursuant to 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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-08-11 Bae Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-13580. Docket 2001-NM-
288-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the steering pinion in the nose landing 
gear (NLG), which could result in a loss of steering and possible 
damage to the airplane during takeoff and landing, accomplish the 
following:

Identification of Steering Pinion Part Number and Follow-on/Corrective 
Actions

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
review of the airplane maintenance records and a general visual 
inspection of the NLG to identify the part number (P/N) of the 
steering pinion, and to determine the total cycles since new and 
since overhaul of the NLG, by accomplishing all of the applicable 
actions in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-076, 
dated July 3, 2001.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (b) If the steering pinion P/N is identified as AIR136088, and 
the NLG has more than 12,000 total landings since new or overhaul: 
Before further flight, after accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, install a temporary placard prohibiting 
pushback with engines running in accordance with Part 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin J41-32-076, dated July 3, 2001.
    (c) Based on the criteria in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-076, dated 
July 3, 2001, if it is determined that the NLG must be replaced with 
a serviceable NLG, accomplish the replacement in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Do the 
replacement at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (c)(i) 
and (c)(ii) of this AD. After replacement of an existing NLG, the 
temporary placard required by paragraph (b) of this AD may be 
removed from the airplane.
    (i) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the 
NLG since new or overhaul.
    (ii) Within 1,000 landings or 16 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Repetitive Replacement

    (d) After the initial replacement of a NLG as required by 
paragraph (c) of this AD: Replace the NLG with a serviceable NLG 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12,000 landings on the NLG, 
until accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (e) If P/N AIR131714 is installed on the airplane, or if an 
operator installs this P/N as a serviceable replacement part, this 
part must be replaced at or before the accumulation of 19,000 total 
landings on the part, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
19,000 total landings on the part, until accomplishment of paragraph 
(f) of this AD.
    (f) Replacement of a NLG with a new NLG having P/N AIR83586-18, 
or any P/N AIR83586-xx (where xx represents the ``dash'' number of 
the part) with ``mod 19 strike-off'' recorded on the nameplate, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-077, dated August 31, 
2001, restores the life limits of the steering pinion to 60,000 
landings on the NLG. Replace the NLG thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 60,000 landings on the NLG.

Submission of Information to Manufacturer Not Required

    (g) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify 
to notify the manufacturer when the actions in the service bulletins 
have been accomplished, this AD does not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (h) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (i) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service 
Bulletin J41-32-076, dated July 3, 2001; and BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-077, dated August 31, 
2001; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 001-07-2001.

Effective Date

    (j) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 9, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8761 Filed 4-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P