E7-24821. Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Proposed rule; withdrawal.

SUMMARY:

This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. That action would have required revising the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew of special operating limitations associated with a reduction in airplane performance due to loss of propeller efficiency. That action also would have required installing placards in the flight compartment and operating the airplane per certain special operating limitations; or performing repetitive flight checks to verify the adequacy of the airplane's climb performance, and accomplishing follow-on actions if necessary. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued another NPRM applicable to certain propellers, which addresses the identified unsafe condition. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5775). The proposed rule would have required revising the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew of special operating limitations associated with a reduction in airplane performance due to loss of propeller efficiency. That action also would have required installing placards in the flight compartment and operating the airplane per certain special operating limitations; or performing repetitive flight checks to verify the adequacy of the airplane's climb performance, and accomplishing follow-on actions if necessary. That action was prompted by a report indicating that a shortfall in engine performance, compared to the performance standards shown in the airplane flight manual (AFM), has been observed during climb-performance test flights. The proposed actions were intended to ensure that the flightcrew accounts for the potential loss of airplane performance due to loss of propeller efficiency, which could result in an increased risk of collision with terrain.

Actions that Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

On October 24, 2007, we issued NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-25173, for McCauley Propeller Systems propeller models B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0, C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/L114HCA-0. These propellers are installed on BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4100 and 4101 airplanes. That NPRM would require, for certain blades, fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) and eddy current inspections (ECI) of propeller blades for cracks based on hours time-in-service after the effective date of the AD, and if any crack indications are found, removal from service.

Also, the NPRM would require inspecting for blunt leading edges of the propeller blades while inspecting them for cracks, and if necessary, dressing any erosion before returning the blades to service. That NPRM results from our determination that we must require repetitive inspections for cracks, and from reports of blunt leading edges of the propeller blades due to erosion. We issued that NPRM to detect cracks in the propeller blade that could cause failure and separation of the propeller blade and loss of control of the airplane, and to detect blunt leading edges on the propeller blades, which could cause airplane single engine climb performance degradation and could result in an increased risk of collision with terrain.

FAA's Conclusions

Upon further consideration, we have determined that, for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, the proposed actions specified in NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-25173, more adequately address loss of propeller efficiency due to erosion or profile changes of the propeller blade's leading edge. Accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.

Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking, it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Withdrawal

Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 2002-NM-260-AD, published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5775), is withdrawn.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 2007.

Michael J. Kaszycki,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.