[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16118-16120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05673]



[[Page 16118]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01448-A]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited 
and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model Jetstream Model 
3101 and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Model 3201 
airplanes. This proposed 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 identifies the unsafe condition as stress 
corrosion cracking of the primary flight control cable terminals. This 
proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the turnbuckle type 
control cable terminals in the rudder and elevator primary flight 
control circuits for corrosion, pitting, and cracking and, depending on 
the inspection results, replacing an affected cable assembly. The FAA 
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 6, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd., Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
phone: +44 3300 488727; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.baesystems.com/businesses/regionalaircraft/. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01448-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug 
Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority 
for the United Kingdom, has issued CAA AD G-2021-0017, dated December 
21, 2021 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe 
condition on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model Jetstream 
Series 3100 and Series 3200 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There were reports of cable terminal failures on a variety of 
civil aircraft types (which did not include the Jetstream 3100 & 
3200 series aircraft). These reports were initially made in the USA, 
Australia & New Zealand.
    Subsequent investigations identified that the failed terminals 
were made from the same material specification; MS21260, which calls 
up materials SAE303Se or SAE304 stainless steel. It is understood 
that these corrosion resistant steels are susceptible to Stress 
Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in service when subject to contamination.
    BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd recognises that SAE 303Se and 304 
stainless steels are used in the primary flight control cable 
terminal of the Jetstream 3100 & 3200 series aircraft.
    The Jetstream 3100 & 3200 series aircraft feature a single path 
for the elevator and rudder primary control cable circuits. For the 
elevator circuit, a potential unsafe condition exists if an elevator 
cable terminal fails at any point in the primary elevator system aft 
of the dual flight controls in the cockpit, because this would 
result in a loss of primary elevator control. This is only 
considered unsafe during take-off after V1, where sufficient runway 
may not be available to brake the aircraft, or during an approach 
where there is insufficient altitude to recover control of the 
aircraft using the aircraft's elevator trim controls.
    For the rudder circuit, a potential unsafe condition exists if a 
rudder cable terminal fails at any point in the primary rudder 
system aft of the dual flight controls in the cockpit, because this 
would result in a loss of primary rudder control. This is only

[[Page 16119]]

considered unsafe when landing in strong crosswinds or after an 
engine failure during take-off and initial climb, where vertical 
axis (yaw) control cannot be maintained using rudder trim or 
asymmetrical power.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0285.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated January 17, 2019. 
This service information specifies procedures for repetitively 
inspecting all threaded turnbuckle type control cable end terminals on 
certain part-numbered rudder and elevator primary flight control 
circuits for signs of corrosion, pitting, and cracking on the terminal 
fitting, and specifies replacing an affected cable assembly when the 
inspection results require it. 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 
ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM 
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI and service information apply to Model Jetstream Series 
3100 and Jetstream Series 3200 airplanes, which are identified on the 
FAA type certificates as Jetstream Model 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 
airplanes, respectively.
    Although the service information specifies reporting inspection 
results to the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require that 
action.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 18 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
             Action                  Labor cost           Parts cost        Cost per airplane      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................  4 work-hours x     Not applicable........  $340 per           $6,120 per
                                  $85 per hour =                             inspection cycle.  inspection
                                  $340.                                                         cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to replace a cable assembly 
based on the results of the proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of airplanes that might need this action:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of cable assembly................  10 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $5,000           $5,850
                                                $850.
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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.

[[Page 16120]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

British Aerospace (Operations) Limited and British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01448-A.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 6, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2720, Rudder Control 
System, and 2730, Elevator Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 identifies the unsafe condition as stress 
corrosion cracking of the primary flight control cable terminal. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, pitting, or 
cracking in the primary flight control cable terminals. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the primary 
flight control cable terminal and loss of airplane control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before any primary rudder or primary elevator flight control 
circuit cable accumulates 16 years since first installation on an 
airplane or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 
months, inspect all threaded turnbuckle type control cable terminals 
for signs of corrosion, pitting, and cracking by following paragraph 
(2) in Section 2.B. Part 1 and Section 2.B. Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 
3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated 
January 17, 2019 (SB 27-JA181040). If the age of any primary rudder 
or primary elevator flight control circuit cable is unknown, do the 
inspection within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, there is pitting or cracking or corrosion that exceeds 
minimum damage limits, before further flight, replace the affected 
cable assembly with a new (zero hours time-in-service) cable 
assembly.
    (3) Replacing a cable assembly does not terminate the 
inspections required by this AD. After replacing a cable assembly, 
do the inspection in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD before the cable 
assembly accumulates 15 years since first installation on an 
airplane and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD G-2021-0017, 
dated December 21, 2021, for more information. You may examine the 
CAA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0285.
    (3) 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 3300 488727; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.baesystems.com/businesses/regionalaircraft/. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

    Issued on March 11, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05673 Filed 3-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P