[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44502-44504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20047]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0639; Product Identifier 2017-CE-016-AD; Amendment 
39-19052; AD 2017-19-22]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-07-09 for 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes. This 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 both the 
need for newly added inspections for corrosion, which includes the door 
hinges/supporting structure and attachment bolts for the main spar 
joint and engine support, and inadequate existing instructions for 
inspection for corrosion for several areas including the rudder hinge 
location on the vertical stabilizer. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 30, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 30, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0395; 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 view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 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-2017-0639.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued AD 2014-07-09, Amendment 39-17823 (79 FR 22367; April 22, 
2014) (``AD 2014-07-09''). That AD required actions intended to address 
an unsafe condition on British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model 
Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes and was based 
on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by 
an aviation authority of another country.
    Since we issued AD 2014-07-09, more extensive reports of corrosion 
have been received, resulting in the need to inspect additional areas.
    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (82 FR 28592; June 
23, 2017) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes and supersede AD 2014-07-09.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2017-0073, dated April 27, 2017 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Maintenance instructions for BAE Jetstream 3100 and 3200 
aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and 
published in the BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd Jetstream Series 3100 
& 3200 Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme (CPCP) document, 
JS/CPCP/01. These instructions have been identified as mandatory for 
continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    EASA issued AD 2012-0036 to require operators to comply with the 
inspection instructions as contained in the CPCP at Revision 6.
    Since that AD was issued, reports have been received of finding 
extensive corrosion. While affected areas are covered by an existing 
zonal inspection, it has been determined that this inspection is 
inadequate to identify the corrosion in those areas. Consequently, 
new inspection items 52-11-002 C1, 200/EX/01 C2, 500/IN/02 C1, 600/
IN/04 C1 and 700/IN/04 C1 have been added to the CPCP at Revision 8.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2012-0036, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in BAE Systems (Operations) 
Ltd Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 CPCP, JS/CPCP/01, Revision 8 
(hereafter referred to as `the CPCP' in this AD).

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0639-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to the comment.

Summary Clarification

    Kenneth MacKinnon of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft stated that the 
Summary and Reason, paragraph (e) of this AD, both list corrosion 
issues that were introduced at Revision 6, which he assumes was 
mandated by AD 2014-07-09. He assumes this is an error and that both 
sections should summarize the changes introduced at Revisions 7 and 8, 
as detailed in the BAE SYSTEMS Certification Plans AWR/768/J3I and AWR/
815/J31 respectively. BAE wants the summary to better reflect the 
changes since FAA AD 2014-07-09.
    We partially agree with this comment. The Summary and Reason, 
paragraph (e)

[[Page 44503]]

of this AD, could contain language to better clarify the unsafe 
condition. We disagree with including all of the details in this AD 
because we matched the intent of the EASA AD, and the details provided 
are included in the service documents. We have added language to the 
Summary and Reason, paragraph (e) of this AD, to clarify the unsafe 
condition.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously. We have determined that 
these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme, Manual Ref: JS/CPCP/01, 
Revision 8, dated October 15, 2016. The service information describes 
procedures for a comprehensive corrosion prevention and control 
program. 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 
document.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 42 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 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 $357,000, 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes and domestic 
business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy and 
Innovation Division.

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-2017-
0639; 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 removing Amendment 39-17823 (79 FR 
22367; April 22, 2014), and adding the following new AD:

2017-19-22 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-19052; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0639; Product Identifier 2017-CE-016-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 30, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-07-09, Amendment 39-17823 (79 FR 22367; 
April 22, 2014) (``2014-07-09'').

(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 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 both the need 
for newly added inspections for corrosion, which includes the door 
hinges/supporting structure and attachment bolts for the main spar 
joint and engine support, and inadequate existing instructions for 
inspection for corrosion for several areas including the rudder 
hinge location on the vertical stabilizer. We are issuing this AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe

[[Page 44504]]

condition on these products as a result of possible corrosion on the 
rudder upper hinge bracket and internal wing, areas of the 
passenger/crew door hinges and supporting structure, the main spar 
joint, and the engine support attachment bolts, which could lead to 
reduced structural integrity with consequent loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) of this AD within the 
compliance times specified, unless already done:
    (1) Before further flight after October 30, 2017 (the effective 
date of this AD), incorporate BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Corrosion Prevention and Control 
Programme, Manual Ref. JS/CPCP/01, Revision 8, dated October 15, 
2016, into the Limitations of your FAA-approved maintenance program 
(instructions for continued airworthiness) on the basis of which the 
operator or the owner ensures the continuing airworthiness of each 
operated airplane, as applicable to the airplane model.
    (2) Do all tasks in the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Corrosion Prevention and Control 
Programme, Manual Ref. JS/CPCP/01, Revision 8, dated October 15, 
2016, at the compliance times specified in the manual, or within the 
next 12 months after October 30, 2017 (the effective date of this 
AD), whichever occurs later; except for the following tasks, which 
must be done within 12 months after October 30, 2017 (the effective 
date of this AD): 52-11-002 C1, 200/EX/01 C2, 500/IN/02 C1, 600/IN/
04 C1, and 700/IN/04 C1.
    (3) If any discrepancy, particularly corrosion, is found during 
any inspections or tasks required by paragraphs (f)(1) or (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 
8, dated October 15, 2016. If no compliance time is defined, do the 
applicable corrective action before further flight.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Standards Branch; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, 
the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (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 2017-0073, dated 
April 27, 2017. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0639-0002.

(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) BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Jetstream Series 3100 & 
3200 Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme, Manual Ref. JS/
CPCP/01, Revision 8, dated October 15, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 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/.
    (4) You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 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-2017-0639.
    (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 September 14, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20047 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P