03-3613. Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware for corrosion and wear (damage). If damage is found, this AD also requires you to repair or replace the damaged parts. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct damage on the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware, which could result in failure of the attachment fittings. Such failure could lead to flutter and subsequent structural failure of the empennage.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective on April 7, 2003.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

You may get the service information referenced in this AD from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-14-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports that, during regular scheduled maintenance, an operator discovered fretting corrosion on the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment bolts on an in-service Jetstream Series 4100 airplane. The Jetstream Series 4100 airplane has a similar structural layout in the affected area to those affected by this action. The corrosion is occurring on the eye bolt shanks and the horizontal and vertical stabilizer forward and rear attachment fitting lugs on the contact faces. There have been 10 reported cases of corrosion found on Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes.

What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings. Such failure could lead to flutter and subsequent structural failure of the empennage.

Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 10, 2002 (67 FR 75819). The supplemental NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect the forward and rear horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware for corrosion and wear (damage). The supplemental NPRM also proposed to require you to, if damage is found during any inspection, repair or replace the damaged parts.

Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the supplemental proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

—Provide the intent that was proposed in the supplemental NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

—do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the supplemental NPRM.

Cost Impact

How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects 250 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per airplane	Total cost on U.S. operators
120 workhours × $60 = $7,200.	No parts required	$7,200	$7,200 × 250 = $1,800,000

The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive inspections each owner/operator will incur over the life of each of the affected airplanes so the cost impact is based on the initial inspection.

The FAA has no method of determining the number of repairs each owner/operator will incur over the life of each of the affected airplanes based on the results of the inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need such repair. The extent of damage will vary on each airplane.

Compliance Time of This AD

What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this AD is “upon accumulating 8 calendar years on the airframe or within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.”

Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS)? The unsafe condition specified by this AD is caused by corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the aircraft is in operation or is in storage. Therefore, to assure that the unsafe condition specified in this AD does not go undetected for a long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). This will allow the owners/operators to work the inspection into regularly scheduled maintenance.

Regulatory Impact

Does this AD impact various entities? 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.

Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 copy of the final 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
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-04-07 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-13055; Docket No. 2002-CE-14-AD.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion and/or wear (damage) on the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware, which could result in failure of the attachment fittings. Such failure could lead to flutter and subsequent structural failure of the empennage.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions	Compliance	Procedures
(1) Visually inspect the forward and rear horizontal stabilizer attachment bolts and associated hardware for corrosion (i.e., pitting or a change of color in the surface) and wear (damage)	Initially inspect upon accumulating 8 years on the airframe or within the next 12 calendar months after April 7, 2003 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8 years	In accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-JA020543, Original Issue: October 24, 2002.
(2) If corrosion or wear is found during any inspection required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD, replace or repair any damaged part in accordance with the procedures specified in the manufacturer's service bulletin	Prior to further flight after the inspection in which the damage was found	In accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-JA020543, Original Issue: October 24, 2002.
(3) Visually inspect the forward and rear horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and the forward eye bolts of the vertical stabilizer for corrosion or damage at the lug faces	Initially inspect upon accumulating 8 years on the airframe or within the next 12 calendar months after April 7, 2003 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8 years	In accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-JA020543, Original Issue: October 24, 2002.
(4) If corrosion or damage is found during any inspection required in paragraph (d)(3) of this AD: (i) Replace or repair any damaged part in accordance with the procedures specified in the manufacturer's service bulletin; or (ii) If damage exceeds the limits defined in the manufacturer's service bulletin, obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the FAA at the address specified in paragraph (f) of this AD; and (iii) Incorporate this repair scheme	Prior to further flight after the inspection in which the damage was found	Repair in accordance with the repair scheme obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA92RW, Scotland. Obtain this repair scheme through the FAA at the address specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Note 1:

Although not required by this AD, FAA highly recommends you accomplish Highly Recommended Corrosion Prevention Tasks in British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 55-JA020544, Original Issue: October 24, 2002, upon accomplishing the initial inspection of this AD and during repetitive inspections if damage is found.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Standards Office.

Note 2:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816)

329-4059; facsimile: [phone].

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.

(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-JA020543, Original Issue: October 24, 2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 3:

The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-JA020543, Original Issue: October 24, 2002. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on April 7, 2003.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 7, 2003.

Dorenda D. Baker,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.