[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63411-63412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30133]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-26-AD; Amendment 39-9442; AD 95-24-12]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Model 3201
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Model 3201 airplanes. This
action requires repetitively inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) bay
forward lower edge wing skin structure for cracks, replacing any
cracked doubler with a joggled doubler of improved design to reinforce
the area and prevent future cracking, and eventually incorporating
these doublers on all affected airplanes. Cracking found at the MLG bay
forward lower edge wing skin structure during fatigue testing of the
JAL Model 3201 prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent the MLG bay forward lower edge wing skin
structure from cracking, which, if not detected and corrected, could
cause failure of the wing structure and loss of control of the
airplane.
DATES: Effective January 17, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 17, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Prestwick International Airport,
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, telephone (44-292) 79888; facsimile (44-
292) 79703; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. Box 16029,
Dulles International Airport, Washington DC 20041-6029; telephone (703)
406-1161; facsimile (703) 406-1469. This information may also be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-
26-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dorenda Baker, Program Officer,
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone
(322) 508.2715; facsimile (322) 230.6899; or Mr. Sam Lovell, Project
Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone
(816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply
to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Model 3201 airplanes was published
in the Federal Register on August 14, 1995 (60 FR 41868). The action
proposed to require repetitively inspecting the main landing gear (MLG)
bay forward lower edge wing skin structure for cracks, replacing any
cracked doubler with a joggled doubler of improved design to reinforce
the area and prevent future cracking, and eventually incorporating
these doublers on all affected airplanes. Accomplishment of the
proposed action would be in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin
(SB) 57-A-JA920540; Original Issue September 1, 1992.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
The FAA estimates that 134 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 35 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided by the
manufacturer at no cost to the owners/operators. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $281,400. This figure is based on the assumption that
all of the affected airplanes do not have the new joggled doublers
installed and that none of the owners/operators of the affected
airplanes have replaced the doublers. The FAA has no way of determining
the number of repetitive inspections an owner/operator may incur.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy
[[Page 63412]]
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, 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), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
AD No. 95-24-12. Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9442;
Docket No. 95-CE-26-AD.
Applicability: Model 3201 Airplanes (all serial numbers),
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 (e) 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 in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent the main landing gear (MLG) bay forward lower edge
wing skin structure from cracking, which, if not detected and
corrected, could cause failure of the wing structure and loss of
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Upon accumulating 4,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
within the next 200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG bay forward lower edge wing
skin structure adjacent to the main spar for cracks in accordance
with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service
Bulletin (SB) 57-A-JA920540, Original Issue September 1, 1992.
(1) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the
existing doublers with joggled doublers of improved design in
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream
SB 57-A-JA920540, Original Issue September 1, 1992.
(2) If no cracks are found, re-inspect the MLG bay forward lower
edge wing skin structure at intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS
until modified as specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.
(b) Upon accumulating 9,000 hours TIS or within the next 200
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, unless already accomplished as specified in paragraph (a)(1)
of this AD, replace the existing doublers with joggled doublers of
improved design in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS
section of Jetstream SB 57-A-JA920540.
(c) Replacing the joggled doublers as required by paragraph
(a)(1) or (b) of this AD eliminates the repetitive inspection
requirements of this AD.
(d) 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.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office,
c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels Aircraft
Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Office.
(f) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with SB 57-A-JA920540, Original Issue September
1, 1992. 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 Jetstream Aircraft
Limited, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW,
Scotland; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. Box 16029,
Dulles International Airport, Washington DC 20041-6029. Copies may
be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri,
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment (39-9442) becomes effective on January 9,
1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 1995.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30133 Filed 12-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U