[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29918]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 7, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-199-AD; Amendment 39-9086; AD 94-25-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model ATP Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Jetstream Model ATP airplanes. This action
requires inspections to detect cracking in certain oil coolers, and
replacement of cracked coolers with serviceable coolers. The amendment
also provides for termination of the inspections by installing certain
reworked and re-identified oil coolers. This amendment is prompted by
reports of cracking in the welded seams of certain oil coolers. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent loss of engine oil
due to cracking in the oil cooler, which may lead to a forced shutdown
of the engine.
DATES: Effective December 22, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 22, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 6, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-199-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport,
Washington, DC. This information may be examined 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.
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: 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
ATP airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received reports of cracking
in the welded seams of certain engine oil coolers that are cooled by
ram air. Investigation revealed that these oil coolers were welded
incorrectly during the manufacturing process. These defective welds
have been isolated to oil coolers manufactured by Normalair-Garrett
Limited and having part numbers (P/N) 8248C000, 8439C000, and 8714C000.
Such cracking, if not corrected, could result in loss of engine oil,
which may lead to a forced shutdown of the engine.
Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26,
1994, which describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual
inspections to detect cracking in certain engine oil coolers that are
cooled by ram air. This service bulletin also describes procedures for
replacement of cracked oil coolers with serviceable oil coolers. The
CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
Jetstream has also issued Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, dated
September 4, 1994, which describes procedures for rework and re-
identification of oil coolers having P/N's 8248C000, 8439C000, and
8714C000, that are manufactured by Normalair-Garrett Limited.
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.
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, this AD is being issued to prevent loss of engine
oil that may lead to a forced shutdown of the engine. This AD requires
repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect cracking in oil
coolers having P/N 8248C000, 8439C000, or 8714C000, and replacement of
cracked oil coolers with serviceable oil coolers. Installation of oil
coolers that have been reworked and re-identified terminates the
requirement for repetitive detailed visual inspections. The actions are
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins
described previously.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been included in this final rule to clarify this requirement.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-199-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, 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. 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:
94-25-02 Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9086. Docket 94-NM-199-
AD.
Applicability: Model ATP airplanes having constructor's numbers
2002 through 2063, inclusive; and equipped with Normalair-Garrett
Limited oil coolers having part number 8248C000, 8439C000, or
8714C000; 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of engine oil that may lead to a forced shutdown
of the engine, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total landings on the
engine oil cooler that is cooled by ram air on the left and right
engine, or within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual
inspection to detect cracking in the oil cooler, in accordance with
British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 1994.
(1) If no cracking is detected, repeat this inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 75 hours time-in-service.
(2) If any cracking is detected, prior to further flight,
replace the oil cooler with a serviceable oil cooler having either
part number (P/N) 8439C000-002 or 8714C000-002, in accordance with
British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 1994,
or with an oil cooler than has been reworked and re-identified in
accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A,
dated September 4, 1994.
(b) Installation of an oil cooler that has been reworked and re-
identified as either P/N 8714C000-002 or 8439C000-002, in accordance
with British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, dated
September 4, 1994, constitutes terminating action for the inspection
requirements of this AD.
Note 2: Reworked oil coolers have an initial life limit of 9,000
landings. This life limit and any changes to it are specified in the
Limitations Section in Chapter 5 of the ATP Maintenance Manual.
(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 3: 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.
(e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Jetstream
Service Bulletin ATP-79-23, dated August 26, 1994, and the rework
and re-identification shall be done in accordance with Jetstream
Service Bulletin ATP-79-24-10360A, dated September 4, 1994. 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, Inc., P.O. Box
16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 22, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 1994.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29918 Filed 12-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U