[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37793-37795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18646]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-152-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model
4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain British Aerospace
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, that currently requires an inspection
to determine the data on the label of certain hose assemblies, and
replacement of all hose assemblies from any discrepant batch with
certain new hose assemblies. That AD was prompted by a report of the
failure of a hose assembly in the fire extinguisher system of the
engine nacelle due to cracks, caused during manufacture of the hose
assemblies, in the swaged ferrule that attaches the hose to the end
fitting. The actions specified by that AD are intended to ensure that
such discrepant hose assemblies are replaced. Discrepant hose
assemblies could fail and consequently prevent the proper distribution
of fire extinguishing agent within the engine nacelle in the event of a
fire. This action would require a one-time inspection for different
data on the label of certain hose assemblies, and replacement of all
hose assemblies from any discrepant batch with certain new hose
assemblies. This action also would add airplanes to the applicability
of the existing AD.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-152-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from AI(R) American Support , Inc., 13850 Mclearen Road,
Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
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:
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 notice may be changed in 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 98-NM-152-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-152-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On July 9, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-15-05, amendment 39-10078 (62
FR 38015, July 16, 1997), applicable to certain British Aerospace
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, to require an inspection to determine
the data on the label of certain hose assemblies, and replacement of
all hose assemblies from any discrepant batch with certain new hose
assemblies. That action was prompted by a report of the failure of a
hose assembly in the fire extinguisher system of the engine nacelle on
several in-service airplanes. Investigation revealed that the cause of
such a failure was attributed to cracks in the swaged ferrule that
attaches the hose to the end fitting. These cracks were apparently
caused during the manufacture of two batches of hose assemblies. The
labels of the failed hoses specified the following information: British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft (BARA) part number 14191001-56 Issue F, the
hose manufacturer (ICORE) part number YA006769 Issue 2, and batch
number 9308-W038912 or batch number 9311-W040935. The requirements of
that AD are intended to ensure that all hoses from the two discrepant
batches are replaced. Discrepant hose assemblies could fail and
consequently prevent the proper distribution of fire extinguishing
agent within the engine nacelle in the event of a fire.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since issuance of that AD, the FAA has received another report of
failure of a hose assembly in the fire extinguisher system of the
engine nacelle on an in-service airplane. Although the label of that
discrepant hose specified an ICORE part number and batch number
identical to those of the previously described discrepant hoses, the
BARA part number was specified as 14191001-56 Issue 3. Further
investigation has revealed that BARA part number 14191001-56 may have
any alpha or numeric Issue identifier.
Therefore, the inspection required by AD 97-15-05 may have failed
to
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identify all hose assemblies manufactured in the discrepant batches. In
light of this, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to repeat
the inspection required by AD 97-15-05 and look for different data on
the labels of the hose assemblies.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-
A26-007, Revision 1, dated May 21, 1997. The inspection and replacement
procedures described in this alert service bulletin are essentially
identical to those described in the original issue of the alert service
bulletin, dated December 13, 1996 (which was referenced in AD 97-15-05
as the appropriate source of service information). However, Revision 1
of the alert service bulletin clarifies the data on the label of the
discrepant batches of hose assemblies to enable operators to correctly
identify the discrepant parts. In addition, this revision to the alert
service bulletin adds four airplanes that also are subject to the
addressed unsafe condition. Accomplishment of the actions specified in
the alert service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which
is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, classified this
alert service bulletin as mandatory in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, 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.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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 supersede AD 97-15-05 to
require a one-time inspection to determine the data on the label of
certain hose assemblies, and replacement of all hose assemblies from
any discrepant batch with certain new hose assemblies. The proposed AD
also would add airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
alert service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 57 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The new inspection that is proposed in this AD would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $3,420, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
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 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
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 removing amendment 39-10078 (62 FR
38015, July 16, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft
Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Docket
98-NM-152-AD. Supersedes AD 97-15-05, Amendment 39-10078.
Applicability: Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, constructors
numbers 41004 through 41100 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 failure of hose assemblies, which could prevent the
proper distribution of fire extinguishing agent within the engine
nacelle in the event of a fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine the data on the
label of the two hose assemblies having part number 14191001-56, in
accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A26-007,
Revision 1, dated May 21, 1997.
(1) If the data on any hose assembly are not identical to the
data shown on either Label 1 or Label 2 of Figure 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin, no
further action is required by this AD.
(2) If the data on any hose assembly are identical to the data
shown on either Label 1 or Label 2 of Figure 2 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the alert service bulletin, prior to the
accumulation of
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60 flight hours following accomplishment of the inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD, replace the hose assembly with a new
hose assembly that has different data on the identification label,
in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(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,
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18646 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
