[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
