[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28635-28637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11932]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0230; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-004-AD; 
Amendment 39-16699; AD 2011-11-01]
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: 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:

    As a result of fatigue-testing programme on Jetstream 
aeroplanes, cracks have been found on the main landing gear (MLG) 
fittings that embody modifications JM5218 or JM8003.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG collapse on the ground or during landing, possibly resulting in 
a fuel tank rupture, consequent damage to the aeroplane or injury to 
the occupants.

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 22, 2011.
    On June 22, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document 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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
phone: +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; Internet: http://www.baesystems.com/WorldWideLocations/UK/. E-mail: 
[email protected]. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 16, 2011 (76 
FR 14349). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    As a result of fatigue-testing programme on Jetstream 
aeroplanes, cracks have been found on the main landing gear (MLG) 
fittings that embody modifications JM5218 or JM8003.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG collapse on the ground or during landing, possibly resulting in 
a fuel tank rupture, consequent damage to the aeroplane or injury to 
the occupants.
    Analysis of this failure indicates that an inspection regime has 
to be implemented in order to ensure the safe operation of the MLG 
beyond the accumulation of 41,000 Flight Cycles (FC).
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires initial and 
repetitive eddy current inspections, and depending on findings, 
accomplishment of corrective actions.

The MCAI requires replacing or repairing any cracked MLG fitting found 
during the initial and repetitive inspections. You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket

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 190 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 20 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $323,000 or $1,700 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $8,000, for a cost of 
$8,340 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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

[[Page 28636]]

products identified in this rulemaking action.

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://www.regulations.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) 647-5527) 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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:

2011-11-01 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-16699; 
Docket No. FAA-2011-0230; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-004-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 22, 
2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model 
HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, 
and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Equipped with main landing gear (MLG) fittings, part number 
(P/N) 1379133B1/B2/B3/B4 that incorporate Modifications JM5218 or 
JM8003; and
    (2) Certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    As a result of fatigue-testing programme on Jetstream 
aeroplanes, cracks have been found on the main landing gear (MLG) 
fittings that embody modifications JM5218 or JM8003.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG collapse on the ground or during landing, possibly resulting in 
a fuel tank rupture, consequent damage to the aeroplane or injury to 
the occupants.
    Analysis of this failure indicates that an inspection regime has 
to be implemented in order to ensure the safe operation of the MLG 
beyond the accumulation of 41 000 Flight Cycles (FC).
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires initial and 
repetitive eddy current inspections, and depending on findings, 
accomplishment of corrective actions.

The MCAI requires replacing or repairing any cracked MLG fitting 
found during the initial and repetitive inspections. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Upon accumulating 41,000 flight cycles (landings) on the MLG 
since first installation or within the next 2,000 flight cycles 
(landings) on the MLG after June 22, 2011 (the effective date of 
this AD), whichever occurs later, eddy current inspect all the MLG 
leg pivot beam fastener bores for cracks. Do the inspections 
following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010.
    (2) Before further flight after any inspection required in 
paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(ii), and (f)(3) of this AD in 
which cracks are found, replace the MLG fitting or repair any 
cracks. Cracks are defined in paragraph 2.D.(4) of British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 
1, dated January 18, 2010. Replace or repair the MLG fitting 
following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010. Any time 
the MLG fitting is repaired or replaced, do the following actions as 
applicable:
    (i) MLG fitting is replaced with a new MLG fitting as specified 
in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD: Upon accumulating 41,000 flight 
cycles (landings) after replacement, eddy current inspect all the 
MLG leg pivot beam fastener bores for cracks. Do the inspections 
following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010.
    (ii) MGL fitting is repaired as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of 
this AD: Upon accumulating 27,000 flight cycles (landings) after the 
last repair and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
27,000 flight cycles (landings), eddy current inspect all the MLG 
leg pivot beam fastener bores for cracks. Do the inspections 
following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010.
    (3) If no cracks are found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1), (f)(2)(i), or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, repetitively 
thereafter upon accumulating 27,000 flight cycles (landings) after 
the last inspection, eddy current inspect all the MLG leg pivot beam 
fastener bores for cracks.
    (4) As of June 22, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), only 
install a MLG fitting specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD that 
has been eddy current inspected and found free of cracks following 
British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-
JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010.
    (5) Some of the compliance times of this AD are presented in 
flight cycles (landings). If the total flight cycles have not been 
kept, multiply the total number of airplane hours time-in-service by 
0.75. For the purposes of this AD:
    (i) 75 cycles equals 100 hours TIS; and
    (ii) 750 cycles equals 1,000 hours TIS.

    Note 1: Credit will be given for the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and the corrective action required in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD if already done before June 22, 2011 
(the effective date of this AD) following British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA090240, original 
issue dated April 29, 2009; and BEA Systems All Operator Message: 
Ref 09-014J-1, issue 1, dated July 31, 2009.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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; e-mail: 
[email protected]. Before

[[Page 28637]]

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, a Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2011-0016, dated February 1, 2011; British Aerospace Jetstream 
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA090240, original issue 
dated April 29, 2009; British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010; 
and BAE Systems All Operator Message: Ref 09-014J-1, issue 1 dated 
July 31, 2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin 32-JA090240, Revision 1, dated January 18, 2010, to 
do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
telephone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; Internet: http://www.baesystems.com/WorldWideLocations/UK/; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 10, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11932 Filed 5-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P