Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

Proposed Rules

Federal Register

________________________________________________________________________

========================================================================

Proposed Rules

=======================================================================

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive

(AD) that would apply to all British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201

airplanes. The proposed AD would require inspecting the fuel quantity

indication system for damage to the insulation of the wiring within the

fuel tanks. Damage is defined as corrosion (indicated by a dark stain),

cuts, or nicks. The proposed AD would also require replacing or

repairing any damaged wiring. The proposed AD is the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified

by the proposed AD are intended to detect damage to the insulation of

the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication

system, which could result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators

and/or electrical sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or

explosion.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 9, 2000.

the United Kingdom. The actions specified

by the proposed AD are intended to detect damage to the insulation of

the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication

system, which could result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators

and/or electrical sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or

explosion.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 9, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location

between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained

from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International

Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 672345;

facsimile: (01292) 671625. This information also may be examined at the

Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace

Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; facsimile: (816) 329-

3091.

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 should 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

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 that summarizes 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 No. 99-CE-72-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106.

Discussion

The Civil Airworthiness Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness

authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an

unsafe condition may exist on all British Aerospace Jetstream Model

3201 airplanes. The CAA reports that, during a routine inspection,

damage to the insulation of the wiring within the wing fuel tanks of

the fuel quantity indication system on two of the affected airplanes

was revealed. Further investigation shows that the damage to the

insulation occurred during factory installation.

This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner,

could result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or

electrical sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or

explosion.

Relevant Service Information

ation system on two of the affected airplanes

was revealed. Further investigation shows that the damage to the

insulation occurred during factory installation.

This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner,

could result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or

electrical sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or

explosion.

Relevant Service Information

British Aerospace has issued Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-

JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; and Jetstream Alert

Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841 Revision No. 1: November 12, 1999. These

documents include procedures for inspecting the fuel quantity

indication system for damage to the insulation of the wiring within the

fuel tanks, and replacing or repairing any damaged wiring.

The CAA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued

British AD 003-09-99, dated September 13, 1999, in order to assure the

continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

The FAA's Determination

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 CAA has kept the FAA

informed of the situation described above.

The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; reviewed all

available information, including the service information referenced

above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this

type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

greement, the CAA has kept the FAA

informed of the situation described above.

The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA; reviewed all

available information, including the service information referenced

above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this

type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop in other British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201

airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the

FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting

the fuel quantity indication system for damage to the insulation of the

wiring within the fuel tanks. Damage is defined as corrosion (indicated

by a dark stain), cuts, or nicks. The proposed AD would also require

replacing or repairing any damaged wiring. Accomplishment of the

proposed actions would be required in accordance with the service

information previously discussed.

Compliance Time Criteria of the Proposed AD

The compliance time of this AD is presented in both calendar time

and hours time-in-service (TIS). Damage to the insulation of the wires

in the fuel quantity indicator system could result in corrosion in the

core conductor. Corrosion damage can then develop regardless of whether

the airplane is in flight, and may not develop until a later time.

Therefore, in order to assure that any damage does not go undetected, a

compliance time of both hours TIS and calendar time (the prevalent one

being that which occurs first) is proposed.

Cost Impact

ntities under the criteria of the

Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation

prepared for this action has been placed 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 adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

British Aerospace: Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD.

Applicability: Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial

numbers, 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 (c) 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.

d, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 in the body of this AD, unless

already accomplished.

To detect damage to the insulation of the wiring within the fuel

tanks of the fuel quantity indication system, which could result in

a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking

inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or explosion, accomplish

the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the

effective date of this AD or within the next 60 calendar days after

the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the

fuel quantity indication system for damage to the insulation of the

wiring within the fuel tanks. Damage is defined as corrosion

(indicated by a dark stain), cuts, or nicks. Prior to further

flight, replace or repair any damaged wiring. Accomplish these

actions in accordance with one of the following:

(1) British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-

JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; or

(2) British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-

JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; Revision No. 1:

November 12, 1999.

(b) 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.

, 1999; or

(2) British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-

JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; Revision No. 1:

November 12, 1999.

(b) 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.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri

64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

(d) Questions or technical information related to the service

information referenced in this document should be directed to

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International

Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 672345;

facsimile: (01292) 671625. This service information may be examined

at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901

Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 003-

09-99, dated September 13, 1999.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 1999.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00-241 Filed 1-5-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U