[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24216-24218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11882]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-95-AD; Amendment 39-9617; AD 96-10-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; 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 Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, that requires
inspections of the handrail assembly at the main entrance door to
detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail
pivot-tube and the spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and
[[Page 24217]]
cracks on the handrail pivot-tube. It also requires repair or
replacement of the assembly, if necessary, and provides for two
optional terminating actions. This amendment is prompted by a report
indicating that fatigue cracks and loose rivets were found on the
handrail assembly of the main passenger entrance door on an in-service
airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
these conditions, which can lead to the failure of the door handrail
assembly; such failure could allow the door to fall free and
subsequently cause injury to people on the airplane or on the ground.
DATES: Effective June 18, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 13, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 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: 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) 227-1149.
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 Jetstream Model 4101
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 1995
(60 FR 58023). That action proposed to require inspections of the
handrail assembly at the main entrance door to detect loose or missing
rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the
spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the
handrail pivot-tube. It also proposed to require repair or replacement
of the assembly, if necessary. The proposal also provided for two
optional terminating actions.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Support for the Proposal
Two commenters support the proposal.
Request to Withdraw the Proposal as Unnecessary
One commenter requests that the proposal be withdrawn. This
commenter, the only U.S. operator affected by the requirements of the
proposed rule, states that it is currently in the process of
accomplishing the terminating actions on all of its affected airplanes.
Its schedule calls for the terminating action to be accomplished on all
of these airplanes by the time the final rule would become effective.
In light of this, the commenter maintains that an AD is unnecessary and
the proposal should be withdrawn.
The FAA does not concur. While the operator's fleet may be the only
airplanes currently on the U.S. Register that would be affected by the
AD, there is the possibility that other airplanes of this same type
design may be imported in the future and placed on the Register.
Without this AD, there would be no assurance that the unsafe condition
was addressed on those airplanes. For this reason, the FAA finds that
the issuance of the final rule is both necessary and warranted.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, 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 4 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD. To accomplish the inspections, it would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240, or $60 per airplane, per
inspection.
This cost impact figure 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. However, the FAA has been advised that the
terminating actions provided by this rule have been accomplished on all
4 affected U.S.-registered airplanes. Therefore, the promulgation of
this AD will impose no new additional costs on U.S. operators.
Should an operator elect to accomplish one of the two terminating
actions provided by this AD, the following costs would apply:
Installation of the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly
takes approximately 4.5 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor
charge of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
this optional action is $270 per airplane, plus the cost of necessary
parts.
Installation of the structural improvements of the door and door
support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, takes
approximately10 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor charge of
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this
optional action is $600 per airplane, plus the cost of necessary parts.
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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 24218]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-10-10 Jetstream: Amendment 39-9617. Docket 95-NM-95-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes; equipped with handrail
assembly, Part No. 6020203 Issue C, with Modification No. JM41179
(reference Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-009);
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 (f) 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 failure of the entrance door handrail assembly, which
subsequently could result in injury to passengers, flightcrew, or
groundcrew, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 50 landings after the effective date of this AD,
conduct a detailed visual inspection of the handrail assembly at the
main entrance door to detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal
movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot that
attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the handrail pivot-
tube, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-
036, dated June 13, 1994.
(b) If no cracks or other discrepancies are detected during the
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-
service.
(c) If evidence of any loose or missing rivet is revealed, or if
abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot
that attaches to the bearing assembly is detected, as a result of
any of the inspections required by this AD, prior to further flight,
accomplish the procedures specified in paragraph 2.B.(4) of
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994.
Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service.
(d) If evidence of cracking is revealed as a result of any of
the inspections required by this AD, prior to further flight,
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), or
(d)(3) of this AD:
(1) Install a new handrail assembly, Part No. 6020203 Issue C
standard, as specified in paragraph 2.B.(5)(d) of Jetstream Alert
Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. After
installation, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service. Or
(2) Install the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly
(Customer Option Kit. No. Jk42619) in accordance with Jetstream
Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. Such
installation constitutes terminating action for the inspections
required by this AD. Or
Note 2: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619 refers to
Flight Refuelling Service Bulletin 6020303-52-1 for additional
installation information.
(3) Install the structural improvements of the door and door
support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, dated
February 11, 1994. Such installation constitutes terminating action
for the inspections required by this AD.
Note 3: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025 refers to Flight
Refuelling Service Bulletin 6020303-52-2 for additional installation
information.
(e) Terminating action for the inspections required by this AD
consists of installation of the item(s) specified in either
paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD:
(1) Installation of the interim reinforcement of the handrail
assembly (Customer Option Kit. No. Jk42619) in accordance with
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. Or
(2) Installation of the structural improvements of the door and
door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly,
in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, dated
February 11, 1994.
(f) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(g) 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.
(h) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Jetstream
Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. The interim
reinforcement of the handrail assembly shall be done in accordance
with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13,
1994. The installation of the structural improvements of the door
and door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail
assembly, shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service
Bulletin J41-52-025, dated February 11, 1994. 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.
(i) This amendment becomes effective on June 18, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 7, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11882 Filed 5-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
