[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5934]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 15, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-15-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited Model 4101
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Jetstream Model 4101
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the mounting
structure of the elevator controls on the rear pressure bulkhead. This
proposal is prompted by the results of a structural analysis which
indicate that certain structure in the elevator control system may be
subject to deformation when maximum load is exerted by the pilot(s) in
the event of a jam in the elevator control cables. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced
controllability of the airplane due to structural deformation in the
elevator control system.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 25, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-15-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Incorporated, 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.
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:
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 shall 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 proposals contained in this changed 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 and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing 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 Number 94-NM-15-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-NM-15-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
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 all Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes. The
CAA advises that the results of a structural analysis revealed that the
mounting structure on the elevator controls may be subject to
deformation when maximum load is exerted by the pilot(s) in the event
of a jam in the elevator control cables. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane due
to structural deformation in the elevator control system. -
Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin J41-53-012, dated November
30, 1993, that describes procedures for modification of the mounting
structure of the elevator controls on the rear pressure bulkhead. This
modification entails installing thicker support brackets and additional
stiffening to the mounting structure of the upper and lower pulley
installations of the elevator and rudder cables aft of the rear
pressure bulkhead. The CAA classified this 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 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, the proposed AD would require modification of the
mounting structure of the elevator control components on the rear
pressure bulkhead. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletin described previously. -
The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 16.5
work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that
the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$7,260, or $907.50 per airplane. -
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. -
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 Federalism Assessment. -
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment -
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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:
Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 94-NM-15-AD.
-Applicability: All Model 4101 airplanes, certificated in any
category. -
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. -
To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane due to
structural deformation in the elevator control system, accomplish
the following: -
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the mounting structure of the elevator controls on the rear pressure
bulkhead in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-53-012,
dated November 30, 1993. -
(b) 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.
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.
-(c) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5934 Filed 3-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
