[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5323-5325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01949]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0042; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-050-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes. 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 inadequate instructions for inspection for corrosion on 
the rudder upper hinge bracket and certain internal wing and drainage 
paths. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 17, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: 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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; telephone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/. You may review this 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0042; 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; email: 
[email protected].

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-2014-0042; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-050-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://regulations.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.: 2012-0036, dated March 12, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    Compliance with the inspections in the Corrosion Prevention and 
Control Programme (CPCP) has been identified as a mandatory action 
for continued airworthiness and UK CAA AD 003-04-94 was issued to 
require operators to comply with those inspection instructions.
    Since the issuance of that AD, reports have been received of 
finding extensive corrosion on the rudder upper hinge bracket. 
Although there is an existing zonal inspection of the area in the 
CPCP, it has been concluded that this is inadequate to identify the 
corrosion on this bracket and consequently, a new specific 
inspection of the rudder upper hinge bracket, task 200/EX/01 C2, has 
been added to the CPCP, currently at Revision 6. Failure of the 
rudder upper hinge bracket could lead to the onset of flutter and 
loss of control of the aeroplane.
    In addition, although the CPCP already included a wing internal 
inspection to check for corrosion and to verify that all drainage 
paths are clear, prompted by feedback from the fleet sampling 
programme, a new, more specific, inspection of wing stations 36, 51 
and 83, together with a check of the drainage paths, has been 
introduced into the CPCP through task 3/400/IN/01 C2. Failure to 
comply with these instructions could result in an unsafe condition.

[[Page 5324]]

    For the reasons described above, this AD retains the 
requirements of UK CAA AD 003-04-94, which is superseded, and 
requires the implementation of the new inspections.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0042.

Relevant Service Information

    BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Corrosion Prevention and Control 
Programme, Manual Ref: JS/CPCP/01, Revision 6, dated November 15, 2010. 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 66 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 100 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $561,000, or $ 8,500 per product.
    The scope of damage found in the required inspection could vary 
significantly from airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining 
how much damage may be found on each airplane or the cost to repair 
damaged parts on each airplane or the number of airplanes that may 
require repair.

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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

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:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2014-0042; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-050-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 17, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream 
Series 3101 and Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5: Time Limits.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 inadequate 
instructions for inspection for corrosion on the rudder upper hinge 
bracket and certain internal wing stations and drainage paths. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent, detect, and correct corrosion on the 
rudder upper hinge bracket and internal wing, which could lead to 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane with consequent loss of 
control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD, including all 
subparagraphs, unless already done:
    (1) After the effective date of this AD, except as required by 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, within the thresholds and intervals 
specified, incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Corrosion 
Prevention and Control Programme, Manual Ref. JS/CPCP/01, Revision 
6, dated November 15, 2010, in its entirety.
    (2) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, do the 
initial inspections specified in tasks 200/EX/01 C2 and 3/400/IN/01 
C2 in BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme, Manual Ref. JS/CPCP/01, 
Revision 6, dated November 15, 2010.
    (3) If any discrepancy, particularly corrosion, is found during 
any inspections or tasks required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of 
this AD, within the compliance time specified, repair or replace, as 
applicable, all damaged structural parts and components and do the 
maintenance procedures for corrective action following BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Corrosion 
Prevention and Control Programme, Manual Ref. JS/CPCP/01, Revision 
6, dated November 15, 2010. If no compliance time is defined, do the 
applicable corrective action before further flight.
    (4) You may comply with the requirements of paragraphs (f)(1) 
and (f)(2) of this AD by incorporating BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Corrosion Prevention and 
Control Programme, Manual Ref. JS/CPCP/01, Revision 6, dated 
November 15, 2010, into your maintenance program (instructions for 
continued airworthiness) and complying with that program.

[[Page 5325]]

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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; email: 
[email protected]. 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, 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.

(h) Related Information

    MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2012-0036, 
dated March 12, 2012, for related information. You may examine the 
MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0042. For service information 
related to this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, 
Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, 
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone: +44 1292 
675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/. 
You may review this 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 23, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01949 Filed 1-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P