94-29918. Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model ATP Airplanes  

  • [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
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
12/22/1994
Published:
12/07/1994
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule; request for comments.
Document Number:
94-29918
Dates:
Effective December 22, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: December 7, 1994, Docket No. 94-NM-199-AD, Amendment 39-9086, AD 94-25-02
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13