Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model ATP Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-186-AD; Amendment 39-8881; AD 94-08-09]

Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model ATP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to Jetstream Model ATP airplanes, that requires a one-time

inspection and appropriate torque loading check of certain wing top

surface stringer joint fasteners, and correction of discrepancies. This

amendment is prompted by a report of loose fasteners on the wing top

surface stringer joint bolts at Rib 0. The actions specified by this AD

are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of the wing top

surface stringer joints at Rib 0, which subsequently could lead to

reduced structural integrity of the wing.

DATES: Effective June 6, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of June 6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., Librarian for Service

Bulletins, 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 Jetstream Model ATP airplanes was published in the

Federal Register on December 15, 1993 (58 FR 65569). That action

proposed to require a one-time inspection and appropriate torque

loading check of certain wing top surface stringer joint fasteners, and

correction of discrepancies.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

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

the single comment received.

The commenter supports the proposal.

Since issuance of the notice, Jetstream Aircraft Limited has issued

Revision 3 of BAe ATP Service Bulletin ATP-57-14, dated December 15,

1993. This revision of the service bulletin is essentially identical to

Revision 1, which was referenced in the notice, but contains certain

editorial changes. The FAA has revised the final rule to include a

reference to Revision 3 of the service bulletin as an additional source

of appropriate service information.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment

noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public

interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously

described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither

increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of

the AD.

The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 50 work hours per

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

rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $27,500, or

$2,750 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:

94-08-09 Jetstream Aircraft Limited (formerly British Aerospace):

Amendment 39-8881. Docket 93-NM-186-AD.

Applicability: Model ATP airplanes; serial numbers 2001 through

2053 inclusive, and 2055; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent reduced structural integrity of the wing top surface

stringer joints at Rib 0, which subsequently could lead to reduced

structural integrity of the wing, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total hours time-in-

service, or within the next 600 hours time-in-service after the

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a

detailed visual inspection and appropriate torque loading check of

the fasteners in the stringer joint brackets (part number

JD534J0015) at the wing top surface stringer joints for stringers 1

through 19 at Rib 0, in accordance with paragraph 2.A. of British

Aerospace BAe ATP Service Bulletin ATP-57-14, Revision 1, dated

September 27, 1993; or Revision 3, dated December 15, 1993. If any

discrepancy, as specified in the service bulletin, is detected,

prior to further flight, correct it in accordance with the 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, 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.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the

airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be

accomplished.

(d) The inspection, torque loading check, and correction of

discrepancies shall be done in accordance with the following British

Aerospace BAe ATP Service Bulletins, which contain the specified

list of effective pages:

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Revision level

Service bulletin number and date Page No. shown on page Date shown on page

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ATP-57-14, Revision 1, Sept. 27, 1993..... 1-3........................... 1 Sept. 27, 1993.

4-5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15......... 0 Aug. 14, 1993.

6, 8, 10, 12, 14.............. (\1\) (\1\)

ATP-57-14, Revision 3, Dec. 15, 1993...... 1-2........................... 3 Dec. 15, 1993.

3-5........................... 2 Nov. 24, 1993.

7, 9, 11, 13, 15.............. 0 Aug. 14, 1993.

6, 8, 10, 12, 14.............. (\1\) (\1\)

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\1\These papers are not used.

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., Librarian for

Service Bulletins, 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 6, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 6, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-8685 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]

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