[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5405]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 11, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-223-AD; Amendment 39-8849; AD 93-25-10]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Model 4101
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 93-25-10 that was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Jetstream Model 4101
airplanes by individual letters. This AD requires inspections to detect
damage of the bearings in the aileron quadrants, replacement of damaged
bearings with new bearings, and adjustment to the secondary stops. This
amendment is prompted by a report that an in-flight failure of a
bearing in a quadrant in the pilot's aileron control system caused
abnormal backlash of the pilot's aileron control. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
DATES: Effective March 28, 1994, to all persons except those persons to
whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 93-25-10,
issued on December 16, 1993, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 28, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 10, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-223-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The applicable service information 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; 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: On December 16, 1993, the FAA issued
priority letter AD 93-25-10, which is applicable to certain Jetstream
Model 4101 airplanes. That action was prompted by a report indicating
that an in-flight failure of a bearing in a quadrant in the pilot's
aileron control system had caused abnormal backlash of the pilot's
aileron control. In this incident, the co-pilot assumed control and
landed the airplane. A subsequent fleet inspection revealed damage to
two other bearings. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Jetstream Aircraft Limited has issued Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-
27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993, that describes procedures
for performing repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect damage
of the bearings in the aileron quadrants, replacing damaged bearings
with new bearings, and adjusting the secondary stops. The Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the
United Kingdom, classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the
United Kingdom.
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United
States, the FAA issued priority letter AD 93-25-10 to require
repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect damage of the bearings
in the aileron quadrants, replacement of damaged bearings with new
bearings, and adjustment to the secondary stops. The actions are
required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert service
bulletin previously described.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on December 16, 1993, to all known U.S. owners and operators of
certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes. These conditions still exist,
and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment
to Sec. 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) to
make it effective as to all persons.
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 notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 93-NM-223-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 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 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:
93-25-10 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-8849. Docket 93-
NM-223-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, having constructor numbers
41004 and subsequent, certificated in any category. -
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a
detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the bearings in the
aileron quadrant in the pilot's and co-pilot's aileron control, in
accordance with Jetstream Aircraft Limited Alert Service Bulletin
J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993.
(1) If no damaged bearing is found, repeat the inspection,
thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 7 days.
(2) If any damaged bearing is found, prior to further flight,
replace the damaged bearing with a new bearing in accordance with
the service bulletin, and repeat the inspection, thereafter, at
intervals not to exceed 7 days.
(b) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, adjust
the aileron secondary stop in the pilot's and co-pilot's aileron
control system in accordance with Jetstream Aircraft Limited Alert
Service Bulletin J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993.
(c) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Abnormal Procedures Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight
Manual (AFM) to include the following. This may be accomplished by
inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``Where abnormal aileron control backlash is experienced by one
pilot, the other pilot should assume control of the aircraft without
using the disconnect facility. The disconnect facility should only
be used in accordance with published procedures in cases of control
restrictions or jamming.''
(d) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
-(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be
accomplished.
(f) The inspections, replacement, and adjustment shall be done
in accordance with Jetstream Aircraft Limited Alert Service Bulletin
J41-A-27-026, Revision 1, dated December 7, 1993. 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 20041-6029. 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.
-
(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 28, 1994, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by priority letter AD 93-25-10, issued on December 16,
1993, which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5405 Filed 3-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
