[Federal Register: October 1, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 190)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 56596-56598]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc03-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-270-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. This proposal would require
various inspections of the fuselage nose structure between stations 4
and 11, and corrective actions if necessary. This action is necessary
to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the primary structure of the
nose of the airplane at the forward avionics bay (fuselage stations 4
to 11), which could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe
condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 31, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-270-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-270-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support,
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
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 shall 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 action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
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 summarizing 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 action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-270-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2001-NM-270-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream)
Model 4101 airplanes. The CAA advises that during an inspection done in
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-A53-023, referenced in
AD 98-24-01, amendment 39-10888 (63 FR 63975, November 18, 1998), which
addresses the diaphragms in the nose cone structure, operators found
damage in diaphragms 14153005-177 and -178. When those diaphragms were
removed to allow for replacement, fatigue cracking was found in the
primary structure of the nose of the airplane at the forward avionics
bay (fuselage stations 4 to 11). Such fatigue cracking, if not detected
and corrected in a timely manner, could result in reduced structural
integrity of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-53-047,
Revision 1, dated July 19, 2002, which describes procedures for various
inspections of the fuselage nose structure between stations 4 and 11,
and corrective actions, if necessary, as follows:
[sbull] Repetitive detailed visual inspections of (1) the forward
avionics bay doors for damage, and repair of damage within certain
limits; (2) the cho-shield conductive coating for cracking, flaking,
wearing, and any uneven surface; restoration of the coating, if
necessary; and surface resistance tests of the coating; (3) the forward
and rear faces of the station 4 bulkhead and the attached parts for
damage, and repair of damage within certain limits; (4) all the
aircraft
[[Page 56597]]
structure between the rear face of the station 4 bulkhead and station 8
for damage, and repair of damage within certain limits; and (5) all the
aircraft structure between stations 8 and 11 for damage, and repair of
damage within certain limits.
[sbull] Repetitive detailed visual inspections for cracks and
corrosion of the surround structures for the avionics bay doors
including the aft vertical closing frames, frame 8, upper gutters,
corner gussets, and lower gutters.
[sbull] Repetitive radiographic and eddy current inspections for
cracks and corrosion of the avionics bay doors apertures including the
door frames, gutters and corner gussets.
[sbull] Repetitive radiographic and eddy current inspections of the
high intensity radiated field (HIRF) seal at the avionics bay doors
apertures for damage (including mechanical damage, corrosion, and
exposure of the ferrex wire in the bulb of the seal), and replacement
of the seal, if necessary; and surface resistance tests of the HIRF
seal.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The CAA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued British
airworthiness directive 001-06-2001 to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.
FAA's Conclusions
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, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between the Service Bulletin and This Proposed AD
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for
submitting reports of inspection findings, this proposed AD would not
require those actions. The FAA does not need this information from
operators.
Although the service bulletin describes a detailed visual
inspection, this proposed AD would require a detailed inspection.
Also, the service bulletin specifies that operators may contact the
manufacturer for disposition of repairs, this proposal would require
operators to repair per a method approved by either the FAA or the CAA
(or its delegated agent). In light of the type of repair that would be
required to address the unsafe condition, and consistent with existing
bilateral airworthiness agreements, we have determined that, for this
proposed AD, a repair approved by either the FAA or the CAA (or its
delegated agent) would be acceptable for compliance with this proposed
AD.
The Planning Information in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-53-047,
Revision 1, dated July 19, 2002, states that operators may remove the
HIRF seal and do a detailed visual inspection of the avionics bay door
surround structure under the HIRF seal, or do a radiographic and eddy
current inspection of the avionics bay door surround structure. The
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin do not specify that
operators may choose which type of inspection to perform. This proposed
AD clarifies that operators may choose to do either a detailed
inspection or radiographic and eddy current inspections.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance (AMOCs). Because we have now included this material in part
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each
individual AD.
Explanation of Labor Rate Increase
We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 57 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 50 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$185,250, or $3,250 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
[[Page 56598]]
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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft): Docket 2001-NM-270-AD.
Applicability: All Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated
in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect and correct fatigue cracking in the primary structure
of the nose of the airplane at the forward avionics bay (fuselage
stations 4 to 11), which could result in reduced structural
integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform detailed, radiographic, and eddy current inspections
of the fuselage nose structure between stations 4 and 11 for
discrepancies (including cracking, corrosion, and exposed wiring),
per the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Service Bulletin
J41-53-047, Revision 1, dated July 19, 2002, except that reporting
results of inspection findings is not required by this AD. Do the
inspections at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1)
and (a)(2) of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 6,000 landings.
(1) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total landings, but not
before the accumulation of 7,000 total landings.
(2) Within 3,000 landings after the effective date of this AD,
or at the next 8-year environmental (corrosion) inspection,
whichever occurs first.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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) For the inspections of the surround structure for the
avionics bay doors, operators may either remove the high intensity
radiated field (HIRF) seal and do a detailed inspection, or do
radiographic and eddy current inspections with the HIRF seal in
place.
(c) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required
by this AD, before further flight, repair per Jetstream Service
Bulletin J41-53-047, Revision 1, dated July 19, 2002. Where the
service bulletin specifies contacting the manufacturer for
disposition of repairs, before further flight, repair per a method
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil Aviation Authority (or
its delegated agent).
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods
of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British
airworthiness directive 001-06-2001.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 24, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24846 Filed 9-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P