Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72531-72533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33289]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-302-AD; Amendment 39-11478; AD 99-26-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 
4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, 
that requires repetitive inspections to detect loose or migrated levers 
of the elevator cable tension regulators, and replacement of the 
regulator assembly with a new assembly, if necessary. This amendment is 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct loose or migrated regulator 
levers of the elevator cable tension regulators, which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective February 1, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 
19, 1999 (64 FR 56281). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections to detect loose or migrated levers of the elevator cable 
tension regulators, and replacement of the regulator assembly with a 
new assembly, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Change Made to the Final Rule

    Note 4 of the final rule has been added to include British 
airworthiness directive 005-09-99, which the Civil Aviation Authority 
issued in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in the United Kingdom.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 57 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,840, or $120 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.

[[Page 72532]]

    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

99-26-18 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: 
Amendment 39-11478. Docket 99-NM-302-AD.

    Applicability: 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 (f) 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 detect and correct loose or migrated regulator levers of the 
elevator cable tension regulators, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the associated elevator, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 7 weeks after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection of the elevator cable tension regulator 
lever assembly to detect discrepancies (including looseness and 
migration along the splines of the elevator cable tension regulator 
assembly), in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-
A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (b) If no discrepancy is detected during the initial inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, perform a detailed visual 
inspection of the bolt and castellated nut for signs of the bolt 
being threadbound, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999.
    (1) If the nut and bolt are serviceable, as specified by the 
alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, reinstall and 
retorque the nut, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (2) If the nut and bolt are not serviceable, as specified by the 
alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace with a new 
nut and bolt and torque the nut, in accordance with the alert 
service bulletin.
    (c) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further flight, 
replace the elevator cable tension regulator assembly with a new 
assembly, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-
27-053, dated September 14, 1999. (d) For each inspection performed 
as required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Submit a report of the 
inspection findings (both positive and negative findings) to 
Information Services, British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this AD. 
The report must include the inspection results, a description of any 
discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of 
landings and flight hours on the airplane. Information collection 
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have 
been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) For airplanes on which the inspection is accomplished after 
the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days 
after performing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which the inspection has been accomplished 
prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 
days after the effective date of this AD.
    (e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any elevator cable tension regulator lever unless that lever has 
been inspected and applicable corrective actions have been performed 
in accordance with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) 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 3: 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

    (g) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (h) The actions shall be done in accordance with with Jetstream 
Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 005-09-99.

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2000.


[[Page 72533]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 17, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33289 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U