96-3885. Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6583-6585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3885]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-18-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. The proposed action would require 
modifying the automatic airframe de-ice system to allow the wing and 
tail de-ice boots to automatically operate through one cycle. The 
present system repeats the wing de-ice boot inflation cycle before 
starting to inflate the tail de-ice boots. Reports of ice accumulating 
on the tail faster than the automatic tail de-ice boots inflate on the 
affected airplanes prompted the proposed action. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent excessive ice accretion on 
the tail or wings of the affected airplanes, which could result in loss 
of control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 22, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-18-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW Scotland; telephone [phone]; 
facsimile (44-292) 79703; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. 
Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC, 20041-6029, 
telephone [phone]; facsimile [phone]. This information 
also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dorenda Baker, Program Officer, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
[phone], facsimile [phone]; or Mr. Jeffrey Morfitt, 
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone [phone], facsimile [phone].

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 should 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 proposed 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 

[[Page 6584]]
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 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 No. 95-CE-18-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
return to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-18-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    Under the current design of the airframe automatic de-ice system on 
certain JAL Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, the inflation 
cycle of the wing de-ice boots repeats before the tail de-ice boots 
inflate. The FAA has received reports of ice accumulating on the tail 
faster than the automatic de-ice system inflates the tail de-ice boots. 
These airplanes are equipped with a manual switch for both the wing and 
tail de-ice boots. Because the timing of the automatic de-ice system 
does not keep up with ice accretion, the FAA believes that most 
airplane operators pilots use the manual system for de-icing.
    The problem with the manual switch is that the pilot must press the 
switch until the de-ice boot is inflated. This diverts the pilot's 
attention away from other critical duties during flight.
    JAL has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) 30-JK 12033, 
Revision No. 1, dated October 20, 1995, which specifies procedures for 
modifying the airframe automatic de-ice system. This modification would 
allow both the wing and tail de-ice boots to inflate once through 
before inflation of either one is repeated. The automatic system may 
then be reset or the manual switch may be utilized.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent excessive ice 
accretion on the tail or wings of the affected airplanes, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other JAL Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes 
of the same type design, the proposed AD would require modifying the 
automatic airframe de-ice system to allow the wing and tail de-ice boot 
systems to automatically operate through one cycle. Accomplishment of 
the proposed modification would be in accordance with Jetstream SB 30-
JK 12033, Revision No. 1, dated October 20, 1995.
    The FAA estimates that 260 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $50 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $91,000. 
This figure is based on the assumption that no owner/operator of the 
affected airplanes has accomplished the proposed modification.
    Jetstream has informed the FAA that parts have distributed to 
owners/operators to equip approximately 22 of the affected airplanes. 
Assuming that each set of parts is installed on an affected airplane, 
the proposed cost impact would be reduced $7,700 from $91,000 to 
$83,300.
    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 Federal Assessment.
    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) 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 has been placed 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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket No. 95-CE-18-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (all 
serial numbers), certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provisions, 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 (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 conditions has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent excessive ice accretion on the tail or wings of the 
affected airplanes, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the automatic airframe de-ice system in accordance 
with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service 
Bulletin No. 30-JK 12033, Revision No. 1, dated October 20, 1995.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA, c/o American 
Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request should be forwarded 
through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, 

[[Page 6585]]
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels ACO.

    (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the documents referred to herein upon request to Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 
2RW Scotland; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. Box 16029, 
Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029; or may 
examine these documents at the FAA, Central Regional, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 12, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3885 Filed 2-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M