[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13326-13328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6100]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-102-AD; Amendment 39-11076; AD 99-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This AD requires replacing
the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of an improved design.
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 prevent the nose
landing gear steering from locking up due to deterioration of the
original design nose landing gear steering jack seals, which could
result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane during takeoff,
landing, and taxi operations.
DATES: Effective April 26, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 26, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from
[[Page 13327]]
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport,
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; facsimile:
(01292) 479703. This information may also be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-102-AD, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, 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: Mr. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile:
(816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
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
HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201
airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on December 22, 1998 (63 FR 70700). The NPRM proposed
to require replacing the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of
improved design. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in
the NPRM would be in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-
JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 1990, Revision No. 5: September
4, 1998, and the instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-51,
which incorporates the following pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision level Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 and 2....................... Revision 5....... April 1996.
3............................. Original Issue... January 1993.
4, 5, and 6................... Revision 4....... October 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United
Kingdom.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Compliance Time of This AD
The unsafe condition referenced in this AD is not a result of
repetitive airplane operation. The nose wheel steering jack seals
deteriorate over time due to weather and climate conditions. For this
reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS) should be utilized in this AD in
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes
in a reasonable time period.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 250 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $220 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $235,000, or $940 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
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.
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, 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. 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:
99-06-12 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11076; Docket No. 98-CE-
102-AD.
Applicability: HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in
any category; that incorporate the following:
Steering Jack Type: 618200.
Nose Gear Type: 1873, B00A702852A, B00A703056A; or B00A703064A.
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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) 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 condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 9 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the nose landing gear steering from locking up due to
deterioration of the original design nose landing gear steering jack
seals, which could result in reduced or
[[Page 13328]]
loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and taxi
operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of
improved design, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-
JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 1990, Revision No. 5:
September 4, 1998, and the instructions in APPH Ltd. Service
Bulletin 32-51, which incorporates the following pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision level Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 and 2....................... Revision 5....... April 1996.
3............................. Original Issue... January 1993.
4, 5, and 6................... Revision 4....... October 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any of the affected airplanes, any landing gear steering jack
seal that is not of the improved design referenced in the service
information specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, or an FAA-
approved equivalent.
(c) 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to the service
information referenced in this document should be directed to
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888;
facsimile: (01292) 479703. This service information may be examined
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA900942 (Original
Issue: October 22, 1990), Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998, and
APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-51, Revision 5, dated April 1996,
which incorporates the following pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision level Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 and 2....................... Revision 5....... April 1996.
3............................. Original Issue... January 1993.
4, 5, and 6................... Revision 4....... October 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 British Aerospace Regional
Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW,
Scotland. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office
of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 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 Service Bulletin 32-JA900942, Original Issue: October 22,
1990, Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998. This service bulletin is
classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA).
(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 26, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6100 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
