Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-200-AD; Amendment 39-8911; AD 94-10-04]

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 a

visual inspection of an area beneath the flooring for foreign objects

and debris, removal of any foreign object or debris found, and

installation of a protective guard on the rear cabin attendant seat.

This amendment also requires a revision to the FAA-approved maintenance

program to include repetitive visual inspections of the area above the

protective guard for foreign objects and debris, and removal of any

foreign object or debris found. This amendment is prompted by reports

that foreign objects and debris have been found in the area around the

elevator and rudder trim cables below the floor. The actions specified

by this AD are intended to prevent foreign objects and debris from

lodging in the control circuits and jamming the elevator and rudder

trim systems.

DATES: Effective June 15, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of June 15, 1994.

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) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes was published in

the Federal Register on January 25, 1994 (59 FR 3636). That action

proposed to require a visual inspection of an area beneath the flooring

for foreign objects and debris, removal of any foreign object or debris

found, and installation of a protective guard on the rear cabin

attendant seat. That action also proposed to require a revision to the

FAA-approved maintenance program to include repetitive visual

inspections of the area above the protective guard for foreign objects

and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris found.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the two comments received.

Both commenters support the proposed rule.

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.

The FAA estimates that 7 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor

rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the

manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the total

cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $770, or

$110 per airplane.

The total 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.

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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-10-04 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-8911. Docket 93-

NM-200-AD.

Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes; constructors numbers 41004

through 41023 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent jamming of the elevator and rudder trim systems,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,

accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance

with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-034, Revision 1, dated

October 30, 1993.

(1) Perform a visual inspection of the underfloor area for

foreign objects and debris in accordance with the alert service

bulletin. Prior to further flight, remove any foreign object or

debris found during the inspection.

(2) Install a protective guard on the rear cabin attendant seat

in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(b) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise

the FAA-approved maintenance program to require repetitive visual

inspections of the area above the protective guard for foreign

objects and debris, and removal of any foreign object or debris

found, in accordance with the times and procedures specified in

paragraph 2.C.(7) of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-034,

Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993, as applicable.

(c) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(d) 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.

(e) The inspection, removal, and installation shall be done in

accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A25-034,

Revision 1, dated October 30, 1993, which contains the following

list of effective pages:

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Revision

level

Page No. shown on Date shown on page

page

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1, 3, 7...................... 1......... October 30, 1993.

2, 4-6, 8-11................. Original.. October 7, 1993.

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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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 1994.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-11357 Filed 5-13-94; 8:45 am]

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