Airworthiness Directives: British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft Limited, HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Models 200, 3101, and 3201 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 90-CE-56-AD]

Airworthiness Directives: British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft

Limited, HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Models 200, 3101, and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)

that would have applied to certain British Aerospace (BAe), Regional

Aircraft Limited, HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Models 200, 3101, and 3201

airplanes. The proposed action would have required identifying all Type

``F'' universal joints on the flap torque shaft and replacing these

universal joints with Type ``M'' or Type ``MC'' universal joints. Since

issuance of the NPRM, Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. has introduced improved

flap torque shaft assemblies that include universal joints that are not

life limited, and that incorporate the actions proposed in the

referenced NPRM and required in two other existing airworthiness

directives (AD's). The FAA has determined that installing these

improved assemblies would incorporate the actions of the current NPRM

and the requirements of the two existing AD's. The FAA is withdrawing

the current NPRM and will subsequently issue another NPRM that would

incorporate all the actions referenced above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Raymond A. Stoer, Program Officer,

Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle

East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone

(322) 513-3830; facsimile (322) 230-6899; or Mr. John P. Dow, Project

Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service,

FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone

(816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

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

Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that

would apply to certain British Aerospace (BAe), Regional Aircraft

Limited, HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Models 200, 3101, and 3201 airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on March 21, 1991 (56 FR 11976). The

action proposed inspecting the flap torque shaft to identify all Type

``F'' universal joints, and replacing these universal joints with Type

``M'' or Type ``MC'' universal joints. The proposed actions would be

accomplished in accordance with the instructions in BAe Alert Service

Bulletin (ASB) 27-A-JA 900544, which incorporates the following pages

and revisions:

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Revision

Pages level Date

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1 through 5................... 4 Sept. 29, 1990.

6 through 9, and 11 through 29 2 June 15, 1990.

10............................ 3 June 22, 1990.

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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.

Since issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM),

Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. has introduced improved flap torque shaft

assemblies that include universal joints that are not life limited, and

that incorporate the actions proposed in the referenced NPRM and

required in two other existing AD's. The FAA has determined that

installing these improved assemblies would incorporate the actions

proposed in the current NPRM and the requirements of the following

AD's:

AD 87-04-04, Amendment 39-5529, which requires limiting

the in-service life of the torque tube shaft assembly on BAe HP 137

Mk1, Jetstream Models 200, 3101, and 3201 airplanes; and

AD 89-16-02, Amendment 39-6273, which requires

repetitively inspecting the universal joints and universal joint rivets

on BAe HP 137 Mk1, Jetstream Models 200, 3101, and 3201 airplanes, and

replacing any damaged part.

The FAA will issue another NPRM to propose combining the universal

joint inspection requirements and the flap torque shaft assembly life

limit requirement of the two existing AD's, but mandate installing

improved flap torque shaft assemblies as terminating action for these

requirements. Since this future action will also incorporate the

previously proposed actions, the FAA is withdrawing the existing NPRM.

Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not

preclude the agency from issuing another notice in the future, nor does

it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed

rule nor a final rule and therefore, is not covered under Executive

Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies

and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation Safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. 90-CE-

56-AD, published in the Federal Register on March 21, 1991 (56 FR

11976), is withdrawn.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 14, 1994.

John R. Colomy,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-4125 Filed 2-23-94; 8:45 am]

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