Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-302-AD; Amendment 39-11478; AD 99-26-18]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (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 all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes,

that requires repetitive inspections to detect loose or migrated levers

of the elevator cable tension regulators, and replacement of the

regulator assembly with a new assembly, if necessary. This amendment is

prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information

by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by

this AD are intended to detect and correct loose or migrated regulator

levers of the elevator cable tension regulators, which could result in

reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective February 1, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of February 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,

13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream)

Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October

19, 1999 (64 FR 56281). That action proposed to require repetitive

inspections to detect loose or migrated levers of the elevator cable

tension regulators, and replacement of the regulator assembly with a

new assembly, if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Change Made to the Final Rule

Note 4 of the final rule has been added to include British

airworthiness directive 005-09-99, which the Civil Aviation Authority

issued in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in the United Kingdom.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined

that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the

rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that

this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator

nor increase the scope of the AD.

Interim Action

This is considered to be interim action until final action is

identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 57 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 inspection, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost

impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,840, or $120

per airplane, per inspection cycle.

[[Page 72532]]

The 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.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct

effect 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, it

is determined that this final rule does not have federalism

implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 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 the following new

airworthiness directive:

99-26-18 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream

Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]:

Amendment 39-11478. Docket 99-NM-302-AD.

Applicability: Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, 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 (f) 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 detect and correct loose or migrated regulator levers of the

elevator cable tension regulators, which could result in reduced

controllability of the associated elevator, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 7 weeks after the effective date of this AD, perform

a detailed visual inspection of the elevator cable tension regulator

lever assembly to detect discrepancies (including looseness and

migration along the splines of the elevator cable tension regulator

assembly), in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-

A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter

at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a

specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to

detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is

normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at

intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such

as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning

and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

(b) If no discrepancy is detected during the initial inspection

required by paragraph (a) of this AD, perform a detailed visual

inspection of the bolt and castellated nut for signs of the bolt

being threadbound, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999.

(1) If the nut and bolt are serviceable, as specified by the

alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, reinstall and

retorque the nut, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(2) If the nut and bolt are not serviceable, as specified by the

alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace with a new

nut and bolt and torque the nut, in accordance with the alert

service bulletin.

(c) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection

required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further flight,

replace the elevator cable tension regulator assembly with a new

assembly, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-

27-053, dated September 14, 1999. (d) For each inspection performed

as required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Submit a report of the

inspection findings (both positive and negative findings) to

Information Services, British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick

International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; at the

applicable time specified in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this AD.

The report must include the inspection results, a description of any

discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of

landings and flight hours on the airplane. Information collection

requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have

been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(1) For airplanes on which the inspection is accomplished after

the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days

after performing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this

AD.

(2) For airplanes on which the inspection has been accomplished

prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10

days after the effective date of this AD.

(e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install

any elevator cable tension regulator lever unless that lever has

been inspected and applicable corrective actions have been performed

in accordance with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(f) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(g) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(h) The actions shall be done in accordance with with Jetstream

Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999. 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

American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.

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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British

airworthiness directive 005-09-99.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2000.

[[Page 72533]]

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 17, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-33289 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am]

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