[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30111-30112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14191]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD; Amendment 39-10556; AD 98-11-31]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101
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 (BAe) Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes
equipped with a certain autopilot. This AD requires modifying the
autopilot elevator electric system relays by installing two additional
relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located under the
right hand crew seat. 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 failure of the autopilot elevator electric system relays for
the up and down trim interlocks, which could result in uncommanded trim
servo operation and possible loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from 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. 97-CE-100-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, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
(816) 426-6934; 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 BAe Jetstream
Model 3101 airplanes equipped with certain autopilots was published in
the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March
25, 1998 (63 FR 14383). The autopilot system that would be affected by
the NPRM is installed under Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL)
Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483. These modifications
encompassed the installation of an autopilot system that has pitch-up
and pitch-down relays with an 800-hour life limit. The NPRM proposed to
require modifying the autopilot system by installing two additional
relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located below the
right-hand crew seat in the cockpit. This modification would remove the
existing 800-hour life limit on the pitch-up and pitch-down relays.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM
would be in accordance with Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Service Bulletin
22-JK 2628, Revision 2, Original Issue: October 21, 1996.
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 compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a
calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because this
action removes an existing 800-hour life limit on the pitch-up and
pitch-down relays in the autopilot system. Therefore, to ensure that
the above-referenced condition is corrected on all of the affected
airplanes within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently
grounding any airplanes, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time
instead of hours TIS is required.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 189 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $430 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $149,310, or $790 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
[[Page 30112]]
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:
98-11-31 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10556; Docket No. 97-CE-
100-AD.
Applicability: Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category, that are equipped with
autopilot systems installed under Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL)
Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483.
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 12 calendar months after
the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the autopilot elevator electric system
relays for the up and down trim interlocks, which could result in
uncommanded trim servo operation and possible loss of control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the autopilot system with Jetstream Aircraft Ltd.
(JAL) Kit No. JK 2628 in accordance with Jetstream 3100/3200 Series
Service Bulletin No. 22-JK 2628, Revision 2, Original Issue: October
21, 1996, by installing two additional relays in the relay box with
associated wiring changes. This relay box is located under the
right-hand crew seat in the cockpit.
(b) The modification required by paragraph (a) of this AD
eliminates the 800-hour life limit requirement for the pitch-up and
pitch-down relays. Operators are encouraged to obtain the revision
for their affected maintenance manuals that is available from the
manufacturer.
(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 Jetstream
3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin No. 22-JK 2628, Revision 2,
Original Issue: October 21, 1996, 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 modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Jetstream 3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin No. 22-
JK 2628, Revision 2, Original Issue: October 21, 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 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 AD No.
006-10-96, undated.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 21, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14191 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
