[Federal Register: April 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 65)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17373-17375]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap05-30]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20865; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-103-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (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 the overhaul of certain
auxiliary components installed on the main landing gear (MLG) and nose
landing gear (NLG). This proposed AD is prompted by manufacturer
determination that overhaul limits need to be imposed for certain
auxiliary components of the MLG and NLG. Components that exceed the
established overhaul limits could fail due to fatigue, wear, and age.
We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the MLG or NLG, and
consequent damage to the airplane and injury to flightcrew and
passengers.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 6, 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. This
docket number is FAA-2005-20865; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2003-NM-103-AD.
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
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-2005-20865;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-103-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
[[Page 17374]]
post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket website, 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.
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 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 received a report of manufacturer determination
that overhaul limits need to be imposed for certain auxiliary
components of the MLG and NLG. Components that exceed the established
overhaul limits could fail due to fatigue, wear, and age. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the MLG or NLG,
and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to flightcrew and
passengers.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-
32-081, dated August 6, 2002. The service bulletin describes procedures
for the overhaul of certain auxiliary components installed on the MLG
and NLG. Auxiliary components are the MLG shock struts, the NLG shock
strut, the MLG retract actuators, the NLG retract actuator, the MLG
drag braces/actuators, the MLG uplocks/actuators, the NLG downlock/
actuator, the NLG uplock/actuator, and the steering selector valve.
Service Bulletin J41-32-081 refers to BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited Service Bulletin J41-05-001, Revision 2, dated March 15, 2002,
as an additional source of service information for calculating
estimated usage of affected auxiliary components.
The CAA mandated the service information and issued British
airworthiness directive 006-08-2002 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 the
overhaul of certain auxiliary components installed on the MLG and NLG,
except as discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and
Referenced Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Referenced Service Bulletin
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J42-32-081
describes procedures for notifying the manufacturer of the
accomplishment of the service bulletin; however, this proposed AD would
not require this notification.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J42-32-081
specifies that certain affected components must be overhauled on or
before July 31, 2004; however, this proposed AD would specify that
certain affected components must be overhauled within 18 months after
the effective date of this proposed AD. In developing an appropriate
compliance time for this AD, we considered the manufacturer's
recommendation, the degree of urgency associated with the subject
unsafe condition and the average utilization of the affected fleet. In
light of all of these factors, we find that a compliance time of 18
months represents an appropriate interval of time for affected
airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety. This
compliance time has been coordinated with the CAA.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 57 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The following table, using an average labor rate of $65 per hour,
provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this
proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per
Replacement Work hours Parts cost airplane Fleet cost
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MLG shock strut (left and right)............................ 6 \1\ $25,000 $50,390 $2,872,230
NLG shock strut............................................. 3 30,000 30,195 1,721,115
MLG retract actuator (left and right)....................... 6 \1\ 6,300 12,990 740,430
NLG retract actuator........................................ 3 4,100 4,295 244,815
MLG drag brace/actuator (left and right).................... 6 \1\ 9,500 19,390 1,105,230
MLG uplock/actuator (left and right)........................ 6 \1\ 5,600 11,590 660,630
NLG downlock/actuator....................................... 3 3,200 3,395 193,515
NLG uplock/actuator......................................... 3 2,800 2,995 170,715
Steering selector valve..................................... 3 6,800 6,995 398,715
--------------
Total................................................... 39 139,700 142,235 8,107,395
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\1\ Per side.
[[Page 17375]]
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
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-2005-20865; Directorate
Identifier 2003-NM-103-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by May 6, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Formerly British Aerospace Regional Aircraft) Model Jetstream 4101
airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by manufacturer determination that
overhaul limits need to be imposed for certain auxiliary components
of the MLG and NLG. Components that exceed the established overhaul
limits could fail due to fatigue, wear, and age. We are issuing this
AD to prevent failure of the MLG or NLG, and consequent damage to
the airplane and injury to flightcrew and passengers.
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.
Overhaul of Landing Gear
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
overhaul auxiliary components installed on the MLG and NLG in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-081, dated August 6,
2002, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD; and thereafter
as specified in the ``Overhaul Period'' column of Table 1 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
Note 1: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-
32-081 refers to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin
J41-05-001, Revision 2, dated March 15, 2002, as an additional
source of service information for calculating estimated usage of
affected auxiliary components.
No Reporting Requirement
(g) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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
(i) British airworthiness directive 006-08-2002 also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 30, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6772 Filed 4-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P