[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 96 (Friday, May 18, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27953-27955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2472]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD; 
Amendment 39-15057; AD 2007-10-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This 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.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 22, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Martin, Aerospace 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. The 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 AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2007 (72 
FR 11300). That NPRM proposed 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.
    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 with the Table No 3--task 27-70-
000 Gust lock system.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This 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 required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 20 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this 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 this 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.

[[Page 27954]]

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-10-16 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream: Amendment 
39-15057; Docket No. FAA-2006-26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-
68-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 22, 
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.
    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 with the Table 
No 3--task 27-70-000 Gust lock system.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within the next 60 days after June 22, 2007 (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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Table number 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/      Yes.
                                 brake master
                                 cylinder
                                 attachment
                                 brackets.
(iv) Table No. 3..............  Gust lock system.  No.
(v) Table No. 4 and Table No.   Ice and rain       No.
 5.                              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.
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    (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, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Taylor Martin, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,

[[Page 27955]]

Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; 
fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (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 May 9, 2007.
Charles L. Smalley,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2472 Filed 5-17-07; 8:45 am]
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