[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72636-72637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24821]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-260-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. That 
action would have required revising the airplane flight manual to 
advise the flightcrew of special operating limitations associated with 
a reduction in airplane performance due to loss of propeller 
efficiency. That action also would have required installing placards in 
the flight compartment and operating the airplane per certain special 
operating limitations; or performing repetitive flight checks to verify 
the adequacy of the airplane's climb performance, and accomplishing 
follow-on actions if necessary. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued another NPRM 
applicable to certain propellers, which addresses the identified unsafe 
condition. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 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 add a new airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register 
as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 
5775). The proposed rule would have required revising the airplane 
flight manual to advise the flightcrew of special operating limitations 
associated with a reduction in airplane performance due to loss of 
propeller efficiency. That action also would have required installing 
placards in the flight compartment and operating the airplane per 
certain special operating limitations; or performing repetitive flight 
checks to verify the adequacy of the airplane's climb performance, and 
accomplishing follow-on actions if necessary. That action was prompted 
by a report indicating that a shortfall in engine performance, compared 
to the performance standards shown in the airplane flight manual (AFM), 
has been observed during climb-performance test flights. The proposed 
actions were intended to ensure that the flightcrew accounts for the 
potential loss of airplane performance due to loss of propeller 
efficiency, which could result in an increased risk of collision with 
terrain.

Actions that Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

    On October 24, 2007, we issued NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-25173, for 
McCauley Propeller Systems propeller models B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, 
C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/
L114HCA-0. These propellers are installed on BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited (Jetstream) Model 4100 and 4101 airplanes. That NPRM would 
require, for certain blades, fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) 
and eddy current inspections (ECI) of propeller blades for cracks based 
on hours time-in-service after the effective date of the AD, and if any 
crack indications are found, removal from service.
    Also, the NPRM would require inspecting for blunt leading edges of 
the

[[Page 72637]]

propeller blades while inspecting them for cracks, and if necessary, 
dressing any erosion before returning the blades to service. That NPRM 
results from our determination that we must require repetitive 
inspections for cracks, and from reports of blunt leading edges of the 
propeller blades due to erosion. We issued that NPRM to detect cracks 
in the propeller blade that could cause failure and separation of the 
propeller blade and loss of control of the airplane, and to detect 
blunt leading edges on the propeller blades, which could cause airplane 
single engine climb performance degradation and could result in an 
increased risk of collision with terrain.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that, for all BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, the 
proposed actions specified in NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-25173, more 
adequately address loss of propeller efficiency due to erosion or 
profile changes of the propeller blade's leading edge. Accordingly, the 
proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not 
preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does 
it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking, 
it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not covered 
under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 2002-NM-260-
AD, published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5775), 
is withdrawn.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 2007.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24821 Filed 12-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P