[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36914-36916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13091]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28115; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-045-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 
3101, and 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) originated 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:

    There has been a report of landing gear radius rods suffering 
cracks starting in the flashline near the microswitch boss. Such 
cracks can result in loss of the normal hydraulic system and may 
lead to a landing gear collapse. Main landing gear collapse is 
considered as potentially hazardous/catastrophic. This AD mandates 
additional inspections considered necessary to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

    Note: The cause of this cracking is not related to previous 
cracking of the radius rod cylinder addressed by BAE Systems SB 32-
JA040945 (CAA AD G-2005-0010), however, the consequences of a 
failure are the same.

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 August 6, 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, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 36915]]

     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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: 

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-2007-
28115; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-045-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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No: 2007-0087, dated March 30, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    There has been a report of landing gear radius rods suffering 
cracks starting in the flashline near the microswitch boss. Such 
cracks can result in loss of the normal hydraulic system and may 
lead to a landing gear collapse. Main landing gear collapse is 
considered as potentially hazardous/catastrophic. This AD mandates 
additional inspections considered necessary to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

    Note: The cause of this cracking is not related to previous 
cracking of the radius rod cylinder addressed by BAE Systems SB 32-
JA040945 (CAA AD G-2005-0010), however, the consequences of a 
failure are the same.

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

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace Regional Aircraft has issued British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA060741, dated 
November 1, 2006. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified 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 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 190 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 14 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Parts would cost approximately $10,000 per product. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $2,112,800, or $11,120 per product.

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.

[[Page 36916]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2007-28115; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-045-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 6, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to HP.137 Jetstream Mk. 1, Jetstream Series 
200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.
    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    There has been a report of landing gear radius rods suffering 
cracks starting in the flashline near the microswitch boss. Such 
cracks can result in loss of the normal hydraulic system and may 
lead to a landing gear collapse. Main landing gear collapse is 
considered as potentially hazardous/catastrophic. This AD mandates 
additional inspections considered necessary to address the 
identified unsafe condition.


    Note: The cause of this cracking is not related to previous 
cracking of the radius rod cylinder addressed by BAE Systems SB 32-
JA040945 (CAA AD G-2005-0010), however, the consequences of a 
failure are the same.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Initially within the next 3 months after the effective date 
of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 
months until the replacement required by paragraph (f)(2) or (f)(3) 
of this AD is done, inspect the main landing gear radius rod forged 
cylinder flashline following the accomplishment instructions of 
British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin 
32-JA060741, dated November 1, 2006.
    (2) If cracks are found during any inspection required by this 
AD, before further flight, replace the radius rod assembly with a 
serviceable unit.
    (i) If the radius rod assembly includes the parts described in 
paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, then the repetitive 
inspections of this AD are no longer required.
    (ii) If the radius rod assembly does not include the parts 
described in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, then 
continue to repetitively inspect at intervals not to exceed 12 
months until you comply with paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (3) Upon accumulating 8,000 total landings TIS on the airplane 
or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, replace the radius rod assembly by 
installing the following (this terminates the repetitive inspection 
requirement of this AD):
    (i) Part number (P/N) 1847/A to 1847/L with strike-off 12 or 13, 
or 1847/M or later; and
    (ii) P/N 1862/A to 1862/L with strike-off 12 or 13, or 1862/M or 
later.
    (4) For airplanes under 8,000 total landings: Before further 
flight after the initial inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, do not install a radius rod assembly that is not of a part 
specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD on an 
affected airplane, unless it has been inspected in accordance with 
the requirements of this directive.
    (5) For airplanes that have replaced or have the radius rod 
assembly replaced as required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD: Before 
further flight after installing the parts in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) 
and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, do not install any radius rod assembly 
that is not part number (P/N) 1847/A to 1847/L with strike-off 12 or 
13, or 1847/M or later; and P/N 1862/A to 1862/L with strike-off 12 
or 13, or 1862/M or later.


    Note 1: When a compliance time in this AD is presented in 
landings and you do not keep the total landings, you may multiply 
the total number of airplane hours TIS by 0.75 to calculate the 
number of landings for the purposes of doing the actions required by 
this AD.



    Note 2: Maintenance procedures for each radius rod overhaul are 
included in APPH Service Bulletin 1847-32-12 or 1862-32-12, both 
dated September 2006, as applicable. You may still perform such 
maintenance through a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the 
cylinder counterbore as specified in APPH Component Maintenance 
Manual (CMM) 32-10-16 at Revision 11 or higher.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    (1) The MCAI and service bulletin allow the radius rod assembly 
to be repetitively inspected for the life of the airplane and the 
repetitive inspections terminated if improved design parts are 
installed. The affected airplanes are used in commuter operations 
(14 CFR part 135). The FAA's policy on aging commuter class aircraft 
states, when a modification exists that could eliminate or reduce 
the number of required critical inspections, the modification should 
be incorporated. Therefore, the FAA is mandating the replacement of 
the radius rod assembly with improved design parts no later than 
upon accumulating 8,000 landings on the airplane as terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections.
    (2) The MCAI includes procedures for a maintenance overhaul 
referencing APPH service bulletins. Because we do not require 
general maintenance in our ADs, we added a note referencing these 
bulletins.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, 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, 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2007-
0087, dated March 30, 2007; and BAE SYSTEMS Jetstream Series 3100 
and 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA060741, dated November 1, 2006; for 
related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 29, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13091 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P