[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11112-11113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5345]
[[Page 11112]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-143-AD; Amendment 39-10368; AD 98-05-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model
4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101
airplanes, that requires replacement of the stringer joint pieces at
the left side of the fuselage with new, improved parts. This amendment
is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the fuselage structure at
the stringer joint at station 130 on the left side of the airplane from
cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane at
the forward fuselage area.
DATES: Effective April 10, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 10, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register
on December 24, 1997 (62 FR 67303). That action proposed to require
replacement of the stringer joint pieces at the left side of the
fuselage with new, improved parts.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 70 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $42,000, or $4,200 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-05-07 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]:
Amendment 39-10368. Docket 97-NM-143-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, constructors numbers 41081
through 41091 inclusive, certificated in any category.
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 (b) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the fuselage structure at the stringer joint at
station 130 on the left side of the airplane from cracking, which
could result in rapid decompression of the airplane at the forward
fuselage area, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, replace the stringer joint pieces at four positions at station
130 on the left side of the airplane with new, improved parts in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Service
Bulletin J41-53-039, dated August 22, 1996.
(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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
[[Page 11113]]
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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream
Service Bulletin J41-53-039, dated August 22, 1996. 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 AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 005-08-96.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 10, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 24, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5345 Filed 3-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
