Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 24, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66121-66123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30632]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-309-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 
4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes. This proposal would require manufacture and 
installation of a placard on the left-hand instrument panel in the 
cockpit to prohibit push-backs of the airplane while the engines are 
running. In lieu of accomplishing

[[Page 66122]]

the placard installation, this proposal would require repetitive 
installation of a new tow bracket sub-assembly that has the serial 
number and date of installation vibro etched on it. This proposal is 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the towing 
bracket. Failure of the towing bracket could cause a towing vehicle to 
collide into the propeller while the airplane engines are running, and 
consequently, cause damage to the airplane, and injure ground 
personnel, flight crew, or passengers.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 27, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-309-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-309-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-309-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes. The CAA advises that the shock strut of the nose landing 
gear (NLG) on the subject airplanes is approaching the 12,000 landing 
life limitations for NLG parts. The life limitations for some shock 
struts of the NLG are constrained by the towing bracket on the nose leg 
of the NLG. Fatigue failure of the towing bracket could cause a towing 
vehicle to collide into the propeller while the airplane engines are 
running, and consequently, cause damage to the airplane, and injure 
ground personnel, flight crew, or passengers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-024, 
dated May 11, 1999, which describes procedures for the manufacture and 
installation of a placard on the left-hand instrument panel in the 
cockpit to prohibit push-backs of the airplane while the engines are 
running. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued British airworthiness directive 004-05-99, dated May 19, 1999, 
in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
the United Kingdom.
    British Aerospace also has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-
32-070, dated September 14, 1999, which describes procedures for 
repetitive vibro etching the serial number and date of installation on 
the new tow bracket sub-assembly, and installing a new sub-assembly. 
The procedures may be accomplished in lieu of the placard installation 
described in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-024. The CAA issued 
British airworthiness directive 004-05-99 in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in either of the service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined 
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-024 
described previously. In lieu of the actions specified in that service 
bulletin, this proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions 
specified in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-32-070.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed placard installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the placard 
installation proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$3,540, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted.

[[Page 66123]]

    Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional action that 
would be provided by this AD action, it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish it, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. The cost of required parts would be approximately $733 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the optional 
action would be $853 per airplane, per replacement cycle.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket 
99-NM-309-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the towing bracket, which could 
cause a towing vehicle to collide into the propeller while the 
airplane engines are running, and consequently, could cause damage 
to the airplane, and injure ground personnel, flight crew, or 
passengers, accomplish the following:

Placard Installation

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the 
shock strut of the nose landing gear (NLG), or within 5 days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Except as 
provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, manufacture and install a 
placard on the left-hand instrument panel in the cockpit to prohibit 
push-backs with engines running, in accordance with Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-11-024, dated May 11, 1999.

Repetitive Action

    (b) In lieu of accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, at the time specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 
vibro etch the serial number and date of installation on a new tow 
bracket sub-assembly; and install the new tow bracket sub-assembly, 
in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-32-070, dated 
September 14, 1999. Repeat the vibro etch process and installation 
of a new sub-assembly thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12,000 
landings on the shock strut of the NLG.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 004-05-99.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-30632 Filed 11-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U