[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1583]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 25, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 16
Tuesday, January 25, 1994
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-200-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; 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 certain Jetstream Model 4101
airplanes. This proposal would require a visual inspection of an area
beneath the flooring for foreign objects and debris, removal of any
foreign object or debris found, and installation of a protective guard
on the rear cabin attendant seat. This proposal would also require a
revision to the FAA-approved maintenance program to include repetitive
visual inspections of the area above the protective guard for foreign
objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris found.
This proposal is prompted by reports that foreign objects and debris
have been found in the area around the elevator and rudder trim cables
below the floor. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended
to prevent foreign objects and debris from lodging in the control
circuits and jamming the elevator and rudder trim systems.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 22, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-200-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 Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1320.
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 93-NM-200-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 93-NM-200-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes.
The CAA advises that it has received reports that foreign objects and
debris (in these cases, forks and crushed soft drink cans) have been
found in the area around the elevator and rudder trim cables below the
floor. The foreign objects and debris passed through a vent via a gap
between the cushion and back of the rear cabin attendant seat. These
foreign objects and debris can lodge in the elevator and rudder trim
control circuits. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
jamming of the elevator and rudder trim systems.
Jetstream has issued Series 4100 Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-
034, Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993, that describes procedures for
a visual inspection of an area beneath the flooring for foreign objects
and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris found. The
alert service bulletin also describes procedures for installation of a
protective guard on the rear cabin attendant seat. Installation of this
guard will prevent any foreign object or debris from passing through
the floor vent. In addition, the alert service bulletin describes
procedures for revising regularly scheduled maintenance procedures to
include repetitive visual inspections of the area above the protective
guard for foreign objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object
or debris found. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory
and issued CAA Airworthiness Directive 003-10-93 in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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.
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 a visual inspection
of an area beneath the flooring for foreign objects and debris, removal
of any foreign object or debris found, and installation of a protective
guard on the rear cabin attendant seat. The proposed AD would also
require a revision to the FAA-approved maintenance program to include
repetitive visual inspections of the area above the protective guard
for foreign objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or
debris found. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.
The FAA estimates that 7 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be
supplied by the manfacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $770, or $110 per airplane. This total cost figure
assumes that no operator has yet accomplished the proposed requirements
of this AD action.
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 14
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES-
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 93-NM-200-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes; constructors numbers 41004
through 41023 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent jamming of the elevator and rudder trim systems,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance
with Jetstream Series 4100 Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-034,
Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993.
(1) Perform a visual inspection of the underfloor area for
foreign objects and debris in accordance with the alert service
bulletin. Prior to further flight, remove any foreign object or
debris found during the inspection.
(2) Install a protective guard on the rear cabin attendant seat
in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(b) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the FAA-approved maintenance program to require repetitive visual
inspections of the area above the protective guard for foreign
objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris
found, in accordance with the times and procedures specified in
paragraph 2.C.(7) of Jetstream Series 4100 Alert Service Bulletin
J41-A25-034, Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993, as applicable.
(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 20, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1583 Filed 1-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
