[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17395-17397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06245]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-1012; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-037-AD; 
Amendment 39-17807; AD 2014-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
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 British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes. 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 stress corrosion cracking of the 
main landing gear yoke pintle housing on a Jetstream series 3100 
airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
1012; 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; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may view 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.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. That 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2013 (78 FR 
72598). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence of Jetstream 3100 main landing gear (MLG) failure 
after landing was reported. The subsequent investigation revealed 
stress corrosion cracking of the MLG yoke pintle housing as a root 
cause of the MLG failure. Degradation of the surface protection by 
abrasion can occur when the forward face of the yoke pintle rotates 
against the pintle bearing, which introduces corrosion pits and, 
consequently, stress corrosion cracking.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural 
failure of the MLG possibly resulting in loss of control of the 
aeroplane during take-off or landing runs.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd issued Service Bulletin (SB) 32-JM7862 to provide 
instruction for installation of a protective washer fitted at the 
forward spigot on both, left hand (LH) and right hand (RH), MLG.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires installation of a 
washer to protect the MLG at the forward face of the yoke pintle. The 
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-1012-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 72598, December 3, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 72598, December 3, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 72598, December 3, 2013).

[[Page 17396]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 66 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 15 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 $84,150, or $1,275 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 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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-1012; 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:

2014-06-03 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-17807; 
Docket No. FAA-2013-1012; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-037-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 2, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

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

(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 stress corrosion 
cracking of the main landing gear yoke pintle housing. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent abrasion and subsequent corrosion from 
building on the main landing gear (MLG) yoke pintle housing. This 
condition if not corrected could cause structural failure of the MLG 
resulting in loss of control during take-off or landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as applicable in 
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD:
    (1) At the next scheduled MLG removal after May 2, 2014 (the 
effective date of this AD), modify the left hand (LH) and right hand 
(RH) MLG installation at the forward spigot following the 
accomplishment instructions of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 
3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 
2013.
    (2) As of May 2, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install any LH or RH MLG on Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes and 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes unless it is found to be in 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(g) Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) 
of this AD if already done before May 2, 2014 (the effective date of 
this AD), following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin SB 32-JM7862, original issue, dated April 8, 2013.

(h) 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0206, dated September 9, 2013, for related information. The 
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-1012-0002.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For British Aerospace Regional Aircraft service information 
identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd, 
Customer Information Department, Prestwick

[[Page 17397]]

International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
phone: +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 14, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06245 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P