[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49130-49132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19778]



[[Page 49130]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1744; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-016-AD; 
Amendment 39-18231; AD 2015-16-06]
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 Model 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 the in-service special detailed inspection 
technique required for the Jetstream 3200's life extension program was 
delayed; consequently, the in-service special detailed inspection 
technique is not formally part of the life extension program and may 
therefore not be accomplished as intended. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 21, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 21, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1744; 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) 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. 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. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2015-1744.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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 adding an AD that would apply to British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft Model Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The NPRM was published 
in the Federal Register on May 26, 2015 (80 FR 29988). The NPRM 
proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and 
was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority of another country. The MCAI 
states:

    The Jetstream 3200 Life Extension Programme (LEP) permits the 
airframe life limit to be extended from 45 000 flight cycles (FC) to 
67 000 FC. Entry into the LEP requires operators to accomplish 
inspections specified in the Jetstream 3200 Supplemental Structural 
Inspections Document (SSID). SSID task 57-10-227 is the inspection 
requirement for the wing main spar at Rib 36. The threshold for task 
57-10-227 is 48 000 FC, with a repeat interval of 16 800 FC, using a 
Special Detailed Inspection (SDI). Development of the in-service SDI 
technique required for SSID task 57-10-227 was delayed by BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd, as a result of which it is not formally 
part of the LEP and may therefore not be accomplished as intended.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to cracks in the 
wing main spar remaining undetected, possibly resulting in failure 
of the wing and loss of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd issued SB 57-JA140140 to provide SDI instructions 
for the wing main spar at Rib 36, which includes a reduced repeat 
inspection interval.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections of the wing main spar around Rib 36 to detect cracks 
and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the applicable 
corrective action(s).

    The SSID will be revised in due course to include the SDI. The MCAI 
can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-1744-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 29988, May 26, 
2015) 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 (80 FR 29988, May 26, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 29988, May 26, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed British Aerospace Regional Aircraft British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 57-JA140140, Original 
Issue, dated: June 26, 2014. The service information describes 
procedures for inspections of the wing main spar around Rib 36 to 
detect cracks and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the 
applicable corrective action(s). This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 22 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 96 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 the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $179,520, or $8,160 per product.
    We have no way of determining any necessary follow-on actions, 
costs, or the number of products that may need these actions.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to 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

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OMB control number. The control number for the collection of 
information required by this AD is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost 
associated with this AD has been detailed in the Costs of Compliance 
section of this document and includes time for reviewing instructions, 
as well as completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
Therefore, all reporting associated with this AD is 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.

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 Docket No. FAA-2015-
1744; 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:

2015-16-06 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-18231; 
Docket No. FAA-2015-1744; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-016-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 
21, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Modified in service following BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd 
Service Bulletin (SB) 05- JM8229.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

(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 the in-service 
special detailed inspection technique required for the Jetstream 
3200's life extension program was delayed; consequently, the in-
service special detailed inspection (SDI) technique is not formally 
part of the life extension program and may therefore not be 
accomplished as intended. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking in the wing main spar, which could result in 
structural failure of the wing with consequent loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Before accumulating a total of 53,950 flight cycles (FC) on 
the airplane or within the next 50 FC after September 21, 2015 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 14,300 FC, accomplish an eddy 
current (EC) and an x-ray inspection of the wing main spar around 
rib 36 following the instructions of British Aerospace Jetstream 
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 57-JA140140, Original Issue, 
dated June 26, 2014. For the purposes of this AD, owner/operators 
who do not track total FC must multiply the total number of airplane 
hours time-in-service (TIS) by 0.75 to calculate the cycles.
    (2) If any crack or corrosion is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
contact BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd for FAA-approved repair 
instructions approved specifically for this AD and accomplish those 
instructions. You can find contact information for BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD. Use the Operator 
Report Form and follow the instructions in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 57-JA140140, Original 
Issue, dated: June 26, 2014.
    (3) Repair of an airplane as required in paragraph (f)(2) of 
this AD does not terminate the repetitive inspections required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD for that airplane, unless the approved 
repair instructions state otherwise.

(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: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 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

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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

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0063, dated April 22, 2015, for related information. The MCAI 
can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-1744-0002.

(i) 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 Regional Aircraft British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 57-JA140140, Original 
Issue, dated: June 26, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For British Aerospace Regional Aircraft service information 
identified in 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/.
    (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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1744.
    (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 August 6, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-19778 Filed 8-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P