[Federal Register: March 13, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 50)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13504-13507]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr08-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0275; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-335-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: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed
[[Page 13505]]
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes
the unsafe condition as:
Cracks have been found in the propeller blades and propeller
hubs, for which ongoing controlling actions issued by the propeller
TC [type certificate] holder (McCauley Propeller Systems) have been
mandated by FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) action.
Current FAA ADs related to this subject are 2003-17-10 (which
superseded AD 2003-15-01), 2004-23-16, 2005-24-08 and 2006-15-13.
Cracking of the blade or hub can ultimately lead to blade
release with potentially catastrophic consequences. * * *
* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0275;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-335-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0268, dated October 8, 2007 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Cracks have been found in the propeller blades and propeller
hubs, for which ongoing controlling actions issued by the propeller
TC [type certificate] holder (McCauley Propeller Systems) have been
mandated by FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) action.
Current FAA ADs related to this subject are 2003-17-10 (which
superseded AD 2003-15-01), 2004-23-16, 2005-24-08 and 2006-15-13.
Cracking of the blade or hub can ultimately lead to blade
release with potentially catastrophic consequences. BAE Systems has
concluded that safety margins can be further improved by introducing
operating limitations that will prevent damaging stresses in the
propeller assembly, instructing flight crews to place the propeller
condition levers in the Flight position during all ground
maneuvering.
EASA concurs with this conclusion and this AD therefore requires
the replacement of the Propeller Limitations Placard with a new one.
Corrective actions include revising the airplane flight manual. You may
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Service Bulletin J41-
11-027, dated March 29, 2007; General Amendment G12, approved January
2007, to the Jetstream 4100 Series Airplane Flight Manual (AFM); and
Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13, approved April 4, 2007, to the
Jetstream 4100 Series AFM. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 7 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $25 per product. Where the
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs.
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $1,295, or $185 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
[[Page 13506]]
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 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 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. 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 and placed it in the AD docket.
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 AD:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft): Docket No. FAA-2008-0275; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-335-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 14, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated
in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 11: Placards
and Markings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Cracks have been found in the propeller blades and propeller
hubs, for which ongoing controlling actions issued by the propeller
TC [type certificate] holder (McCauley Propeller Systems) have been
mandated by FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) action.
Current FAA ADs related to this subject are 2003-17-10 (which
superseded AD 2003-15-01), 2004-23-16, 2005-24-08 and 2006-15-13.
Cracking of the blade or hub can ultimately lead to blade
release with potentially catastrophic consequences. BAE Systems has
concluded that safety margins can be further improved by introducing
operating limitations that will prevent damaging stresses in the
propeller assembly, instructing flight crews to place the propeller
condition levers in the Flight position during all ground
maneuvering.
EASA concurs with this conclusion and this AD therefore requires
the replacement of the Propeller Limitations Placard with a new one.
Corrective actions include revising the airplane flight manual.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, unless
already done, do the following actions.
(1) Replace the existing Propeller Limitations Placard in the
cockpit with a new placard, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin
J41-11-027, dated March 29, 2007.
(2) Revise the BAE Jetstream Series 4100 Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the information in BAE Jetstream Series 4100
General Amendment G12, approved January 2007, and BAE Jetstream
Series 4100 Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13, approved April 4,
2007. General Amendment G12 describes a rolling take-off technique
and the reduced possibility of landing with ice contaminating the
wings, and adds a Gross Height/Pressure Altitude Conversion Chart.
Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13 introduces procedures for placing
the propeller condition levers in the Flight position during all
ground maneuvering. Operate the airplane according to the procedures
in General Amendment G12 and Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13.
Note 1: This may be done by inserting copies of General
Amendment G12 and Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13 into the AFM.
When General Amendment G12 and Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13
have been included in general revisions of the AFM, the general
revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the relevant
information in the general revision is identical to that in General
Amendment G12 and Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Todd
Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0268, dated
October 8, 2007; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin
J41-11-027, dated March 29, 2007; BAE Jetstream Series 4100 General
Amendment G12, approved January 2007, to the Jetstream 4100 Series
Airplane Flight Manual; and Advance Amendment Bulletin No. 13,
approved April 4, 2007, to the Jetstream 4100 Series Airplane Flight
Manual; for related information.
[[Page 13507]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-5000 Filed 3-12-08; 8:45 am]
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