[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11300-11302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4518]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) applicable to the British Aerospace 
Jetstream 3200 has been revised. Some lives have been amended and 
new lives introduced. Compliance with these requirements is 
necessary to maintain airworthiness.

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to  http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, has issued AD No. G-2004-0024, Issue 
Date: September 22, 2004, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
approved on September 16, 2004, under approval number 2004-9648 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) applicable to the British Aerospace 
Jetstream 3200 has been revised. Some lives have been amended and 
new lives introduced. Compliance with these requirements is 
necessary to maintain airworthiness.
    The MCAI requires:
    From the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive (AD), 
comply with the requirements of BAE Jetstream Series 3200 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 05-10-05, Airworthiness Limitations 
Description and Operation Section,* Revision 14 or later EASA 
approved revision.
    * Only the structural fatigue tasks are mandated by this AD, the 
following tasks are not addressed by this AD: All the tasks recorded 
in Tables 2, 4, 5 and 8. Together

[[Page 11301]]

with the Table No 3--task 27-70-000 Gust lock system.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Aircraft Maintenance Manual 05-10-05 
001--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION--BAe 
Jetstream 32, dated January 11, 2006, for Recurring Mandatory 
Inspections and Maintenance Actions. The actions described in this AMM 
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
    This version of the above-referenced document is a later EASA-
approved version than that referenced in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 20 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the proposed 
AD (inserting the document into the Airworthiness Limitations Section 
of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness or other FAA-approved 
maintenance document). The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,600, or $80 per product.
    We have no way of determining the costs associated with having to 
replace certain parts at an earlier time due to reduced life limits.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2006-26284; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by April 12, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: 
Structures.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states: ``The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) applicable to the British Aerospace 
Jetstream 3200 has been revised. Some lives have been amended and 
new lives introduced. Compliance with these requirements is 
necessary to maintain airworthiness.''

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD 
do the following, unless already done:
    (1) Incorporate the information referenced below from Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual 05-10-05 001--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION--BAe Jetstream 32, dated January 11, 2006, 
for Recurring Mandatory Inspections and Maintenance Actions into the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness or other FAA-approved maintenance document. You may 
use a later European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-approved revision 
that incorporates these same life limits.

[[Page 11302]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Table No. in document         Affected areas         AD applies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Table No. 1................  Wing, Fuselage,     Yes.
                                  Fin, Tailplane,
                                  Engine mounting,
                                  Flap system.
(ii) Table No. 2...............  Electrical Power    No.
                                  (all Items).
(iii) Table No. 3..............  Rudder pedal/brake  Yes.
                                  master cylinder
                                  attachment
                                  brackets.
(iv) Table No. 3...............  Gust lock system..  No.
(v) Table No. 4 and Table No. 5  Ice and rain        No.
                                  protection (all
                                  items).
(vi) Table No. 6 and Table No.   Landing gear (all   Yes.
 7.                               items).
(vii) Table No. 8..............  Lighting (all       No.
                                  items).
(viii) Table No. 9.............  Doors (all items).  Yes.
(ix) Table No. 10..............  Fuselage (all       Yes.
                                  items).
(x) Table No. 11...............  Stabilizers (all    Yes.
                                  items).
(xi) Table No. 12..............  Wings (all items).  Yes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot 
certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may do the actions of this AD. Make an 
entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 43.9).

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    (1) The MCAI requires you to comply with a version of a 
maintenance manual that changes life limits. The FAA requires such 
changes through a change to the Airworthiness Limitations Section of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness or other FAA-approved 
maintenance document, and the FAA is mandating this through this AD.
    (2) We added information in paragraph (f) that allows the owner/
operator to insert this information into the Airworthiness 
Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness 
or other FAA-approved maintenance document. Without this 
information, a licensed mechanic would be required to do the action.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ATTN: Taylor 
Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Authority AD No. G-2004-0024, 
Issue Date: September 22, 2004, EASA approved on September 16, 2004, 
under approval number 2004-9648, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 6, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-4518 Filed 3-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P