[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 236 (Friday, December 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64643-64645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31109]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-131-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 the replacement of weight
limitation placards in the aft main baggage bay and in the aft right
stowage compartment with new placards indicating lower maximum weight
limits. It would also require a revision of the Airplane Flight Manual
to delete references to the current higher weight limits for these
areas. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that existing
weight limitations could result in failure of the front bulkhead of the
aft main baggage bay and doors of the aft right stowage compartment
during emergency dynamic landing conditions. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent this failure, which
consequently could result in injury to passengers and flight crew, and
hinder evacuation of the airplane through the exit adjacent to this
bulkhead.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 21, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-131-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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) 227-1149.
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,
[[Page 64644]]
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 96-NM-131-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. 96-NM-131-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 a report from the manufacturer
indicating that testing of a new configuration for the aft main baggage
bay has shown that the doors in the aft right stowage compartment will
not meet crashworthiness requirements when the weight in that area
exceeds 160 pounds and the total weight in the aft main baggage bay
exceeds 968 pounds. Should these weight limitations be exceeded and
emergency landing dynamic conditions arise, the front bulkhead of the
aft main baggage bay and the doors of the aft right stowage compartment
could fail, and consequently result in injury to passengers and flight
crew, and hinder evacuation of the airplane through the exit adjacent
to this bulkhead.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 18,
1996, which describes procedures for establishing new weight limits for
these areas by removal of the weight limitation placards in the aft
main baggage bay and aft right stowage compartment, and replacement of
these placards with new placards indicating a lower maximum weight
limit. It also describes procedures for revising the FAA-approved
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for certain airplanes by removal of an
amendment from that manual; this amendment references the higher weight
limits in effect before the installation of the new placards. The CAA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British
airworthiness directive 005-01-96, dated January 31, 1996, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United
Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
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 (14 CFR
21.29) 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.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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 removal of the
weight limitation placards in the aft main baggage bay and aft right
stowage compartment, and replacement with new placards that establish
lower maximum weight limits in these areas. It would also require a
revision to the AFM for certain airplanes that would require removal of
references to higher weight limits in effect before the new placards
are installed. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 44 Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Required placards would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,640, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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
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:
Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 96-NM-131-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, as listed in Jetstream
Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 18, 1996; certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
[[Page 64645]]
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 (c) 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 prevent failure of the front bulkhead of the aft main baggage
bay and the doors of the aft right stowage compartment during
emergency landing dynamic conditions, which consequently could
result in injury to passengers and flight crew and hinder evacuation
of the airplane through the exit adjacent to the bulkhead,
accomplish the following:
(a) For all airplanes: Within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, replace the weight limitation placards in the aft main
baggage bay and aft right stowage compartment with new placards
indicating lower maximum weight limitations, in accordance with
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January 18, 1996.
(b) For airplanes having constructor numbers 41041 through 41043
inclusive, 41045, 41055, 41058, 41059, 41063, and 41064: Within 30
days after the effective date of this AD, after accomplishment of
the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD, revise the FAA-
approved Airplane Flight Manual by removing Amendment P25, in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-11-014, dated January
18, 1996.
(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 2: 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
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 1996.
Gary L. Killion,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31109 Filed 12-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
