[Federal Register: December 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 230)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 69834-69836]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01de04-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19751; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-59-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101
airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed
inspections of the aft fuselage frames for any discrepancies, and any
applicable corrective actions. This proposed AD is prompted by reports
of corrosion found on the aft fuselage frames due to the ingress of
water or liquid. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
corrosion of the aft fuselage frames, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the fuselage.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen
Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19751;
Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-59-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.Examining
the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
[[Page 69835]]
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the
DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, notified us that an unsafe condition
may exist on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model
4101 airplanes. The CAA advises that corrosion has been found along aft
fuselage frames. This corrosion occurs on frame areas below floor panel
level in the vicinity of the toilet, galley, and rear baggage door due
to the ingress of water or liquid. Corrosion of the aft fuselage
frames, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could result
in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-
53-051, dated January 25, 2002; and Revision 1, dated May 2, 2003. The
service bulletins describe procedures for doing repetitive detailed
visual inspections of the aft fuselage frames for discrepancies (i.e.,
corrosion, soft spots, and suspected corrosion), doing any applicable
corrective action, and submitting inspection reports to the
manufacturer. The corrective actions include repairing any corrosion
found during the inspections; replacing any soft floor panels;
reapplying any sealant, membrane, or tape removed during the
inspection; and contacting the manufacturer for disposition of damage
outside of limits.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAA mandated
the service information and issued British airworthiness directive 003-
01-2002 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the
United Kingdom.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
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. We have examined the CAA's
findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we
need to issue an AD for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
the AD and the Service Bulletins.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins
The service bulletins specify that you may contact the manufacturer
for instructions on how to repair corrosion outside limits defined in
the service bulletins, but this proposed AD would require you to repair
those conditions using a method that we or the CAA (or its delegated
agent) approve. 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 we or the CAA approve would be acceptable for compliance
with this proposed AD.
Operators should also note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletins describe procedures for
submitting inspection reports, this proposed AD would not require those
actions. We do not need this information from operators.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 57 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed inspections would take about 30 work hours per airplane,
at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures,
the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $111,150,
or $1,950 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2004-19751; Directorate
Identifier 2002-NM-59-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by January 3, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion found on the
aft fuselage frames due to the ingress of water or liquid. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the aft fuselage
frames, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the
fuselage.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a
detailed inspection of the aft fuselage frames for any discrepancies
(i.e., corrosion, soft spots, and suspected corrosion), and any
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin
J41-53-051, dated January 25, 2002; or Revision 1, dated May 2,
2003; except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD. Do
any applicable corrective action before further flight.
[[Page 69836]]
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
``an intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
(g) If any corrosion outside the limits defined in the service
bulletin is detected: Before further flight, repair the corrosion
according to a method approved by either the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Civil
Aviation Authority (or its delegated agent).
Repetitive Inspection
(h) Repeat the inspection and do applicable corrective actions
required by paragraph (f) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 24
months.
No Reporting
(i) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify
to submit inspection reports to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(k) British airworthiness directive 003-01-2002 also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26496 Filed 11-30-04; 8:45 am]
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