[Federal Register: February 19, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7902-7904]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe03-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-14-AD; Amendment 39-13055; AD 2003-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model HP.137
Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and
Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all British Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream
Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes.
This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the horizontal and
vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware for
corrosion and wear (damage). If damage is found, this AD also requires
you to repair or replace the damaged parts. This AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to detect and correct damage on the horizontal
and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware,
which could result in failure of the attachment fittings. Such failure
could lead to flutter and subsequent structural failure of the
empennage.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 7, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April
7, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 672345;
facsimile: (01292) 671625. You may view this information at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-14-AD, 901 Locust, Room
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom,
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British
Aerospace Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream
Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports that,
during regular scheduled maintenance, an operator discovered fretting
corrosion on the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment bolts on
an in-service Jetstream Series 4100 airplane. The Jetstream Series 4100
airplane has a similar structural layout in the affected area to those
affected by this action. The corrosion is occurring on the eye bolt
shanks and the horizontal and vertical stabilizer forward and rear
attachment fitting lugs on the contact faces. There have been 10
reported cases of corrosion found on Jetstream Series 3101 and
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition,
if not detected and corrected, could result in failure of the
horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings. Such failure
could lead to flutter and subsequent structural failure of the
empennage.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all British Aerospace Model HP.137
Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This proposal was published in the
Federal Register as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
on December 10, 2002 (67 FR 75819). The supplemental NPRM proposed to
require you to repetitively inspect the forward and rear horizontal and
vertical stabilizer attachment fittings and associated hardware for
corrosion and wear (damage). The supplemental NPRM also proposed to
require you to, if damage is found during any inspection, repair or
replace the damaged parts.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not
receive any comments on the supplemental proposed rule or on our
determination of the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide the intent that was proposed in the supplemental NPRM for
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the supplemental NPRM.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 250 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
inspection:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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120 workhours x $60 = $7,200...... No parts required... $7,200 $7,200 x 250 = $1,800,000
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The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive
inspections each owner/operator will incur over the life of each of the
affected airplanes so the cost impact is based on the initial
inspection.
The FAA has no method of determining the number of repairs each
owner/operator will incur over the life
[[Page 7903]]
of each of the affected airplanes based on the results of the
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need such repair. The extent of damage will vary on each airplane.
Compliance Time of This AD
What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this
AD is ``upon accumulating 8 calendar years on the airframe or within
the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.''
Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of
hours time-in-service (TIS)? The unsafe condition specified by this AD
is caused by corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the
aircraft is in operation or is in storage. Therefore, to assure that
the unsafe condition specified in this AD does not go undetected for a
long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). This will allow the owners/
operators to work the inspection into regularly scheduled maintenance.
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? 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.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 copy
of the final 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2003-04-07 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-13055; Docket No. 2002-
CE-14-AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series
3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that
are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion and/or wear
(damage) on the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment
fittings and associated hardware, which could result in failure of
the attachment fittings. Such failure could lead to flutter and
subsequent structural failure of the empennage.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Visually inspect the Initially inspect In accordance with
forward and rear horizontal upon accumulating 8 British Aerospace
stabilizer attachment bolts years on the Jetstream Mandatory
and associated hardware for airframe or within Service Bulletin 55-
corrosion (i.e., pitting or the next 12 JA020543, Original
a change of color in the calendar months Issue: October 24,
surface) and wear (damage). after April 7, 2003 2002.
(the effective date
of this AD),
whichever occurs
later. Repetitively
inspect thereafter
at intervals not to
exceed 8 years.
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(2) If corrosion or wear is Prior to further In accordance with
found during any inspection flight after the British Aerospace
required in paragraph inspection in which Jetstream Mandatory
(d)(1) of this AD, replace the damage was Service Bulletin 55-
or repair any damaged part found. JA020543, Original
in accordance with the Issue: October 24,
procedures specified in the 2002.
manufacturer's service
bulletin.
(3) Visually inspect the Initially inspect In accordance with
forward and rear horizontal upon accumulating 8 British Aerospace
and vertical stabilizer years on the Jetstream Mandatory
attachment fittings and the airframe or within Service Bulletin 55-
forward eye bolts of the the next 12 JA020543, Original
vertical stabilizer for calendar months Issue: October 24,
corrosion or damage at the after April 7, 2003 2002.
lug faces. (the effective date
of this AD),
whichever occurs
later. Repetitively
inspect thereafter
at intervals not to
exceed 8 years.
(4) If corrosion or damage Prior to further Repair in accordance
is found during any flight after the with the repair
inspection required in inspection in which scheme obtained
paragraph (d)(3) of this the damage was from British
AD:. found. Aerospace Regional
(i) Replace or repair any Aircraft, Prestwick
damaged part in accordance International
with the procedures Airport, Ayrshire,
specified in the KA92RW, Scotland.
manufacturer's service Obtain this repair
bulletin; or. scheme through the
(ii) If damage exceeds the FAA at the address
limits defined in the specified in
manufacturer's service paragraph (f) of
bulletin, obtain a repair this AD.
scheme from the
manufacturer through the
FAA at the address
specified in paragraph (f)
of this AD; and.
(iii) Incorporate this
repair scheme.
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[[Page 7904]]
Note 1: Although not required by this AD, FAA highly recommends
you accomplish Highly Recommended Corrosion Prevention Tasks in
British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 55-JA020544, Original
Issue: October 24, 2002, upon accomplishing the initial inspection
of this AD and during repetitive inspections if damage is found.
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standards Office.
Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific
actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816)
329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-
JA020543, Original Issue: October 24, 2002. The Director of the
Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport,
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 672345; facsimile:
(01292) 671625. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace
Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-JA020543, Original Issue:
October 24, 2002. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory
by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on April 7, 2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 7, 2003.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3613 Filed 2-18-03; 8:45 am]
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