[Federal Register: May 20, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 96)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 23671-23674]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my09-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0463; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-065-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 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:
A failure mode has been identified that can lead to loss of a
nose wheel. Any combination of excessive wear and/or adverse
tolerances on the axle inner cone, outer cone or wheel hub splined
sleeve cones can result in the loss of the critical gap between the
inner flange face of the wheel outer cone and the axle end face. If
this gap is lost, it can result in the wheel having free play along
the length of the axle. This condition, if not corrected, can result
in breakage of the wheel nut lock plate leading to unscrewing of the
wheel retention nut and
[[Page 23672]]
subsequent separation of the nose wheel from the landing gear axle.
* * * * *
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 June 19, 2009.
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.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE
Systems Regional Aircraft, 13850 McLearen Road, Herndon, Virginia
20171; telephone 703-736-1080; e-mail raebusiness@baesystems.com;
Internet http://www.baesystems.com/Businesses/RegionalAircraft/
index.htm. You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
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-2009-0463;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-065-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 2008-0036, dated February 22, 2008 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A failure mode has been identified that can lead to loss of a
nose wheel. Any combination of excessive wear and/or adverse
tolerances on the axle inner cone, outer cone or wheel hub splined
sleeve cones can result in the loss of the critical gap between the
inner flange face of the wheel outer cone and the axle end face. If
this gap is lost, it can result in the wheel having free play along
the length of the axle. This condition, if not corrected, can result
in breakage of the wheel nut lock plate leading to unscrewing of the
wheel retention nut and subsequent separation of the nose wheel from
the landing gear axle.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive
inspections of the nose landing gear to ensure that the wheels are
correctly retained and, depending on findings, replacement of worn
parts.
Required actions include inspecting the lock plate for damage
(including excessive wear) and cracking, and replacing the lock plate
with a new or serviceable part if any damage or cracking is found;
inspecting the wheel nut for damage, and replacing any damaged nut with
a new or serviceable part; and measuring the gap between the inner
flange of the outer cone (at each of the three sections) and the end
face of the axle to determine if parts are worn, and replacing worn
parts with new or serviceable parts.
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-
32-086, dated June 27, 2007. 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 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $2,240, or $320 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, 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,
[[Page 23673]]
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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-2009-0463; Directorate Identifier
2008-NM-065-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by June 19, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model
Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated in any category, all models,
all serial numbers.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing
Gear.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A failure mode has been identified that can lead to loss of a
nose wheel. Any combination of excessive wear and/or adverse
tolerances on the axle inner cone, outer cone or wheel hub splined
sleeve cones can result in the loss of the critical gap between the
inner flange face of the wheel outer cone and the axle end face. If
this gap is lost, it can result in the wheel having free play along
the length of the axle. This condition, if not corrected, can result
in breakage of the wheel nut lock plate leading to unscrewing of the
wheel retention nut and subsequent separation of the nose wheel from
the landing gear axle.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive
inspections of the nose landing gear to ensure that the wheels are
correctly retained and, depending on findings, replacement of worn
parts.
Required actions include inspecting the lock plate for damage
(including excessive wear) and cracking, and replacing the lock
plate with a new or serviceable part if any damage or cracking is
found; inspecting the wheel nut for damage, and replacing any
damaged nut with a new or serviceable part; and measuring the gap
between the inner flange of the outer cone (at each of the three
sections) and the end face of the axle to determine if parts are
worn, and replacing worn parts with new or serviceable parts.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions for the left
and right nose wheel attachments to the axle.
(1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect
the lock plate for damage (including excessive wear) and cracking,
inspect the wheel nut for damage, and measure the gap between the
inner flange of the outer cone and the end face of the axle to
determine if parts are worn, in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-086, dated
June 27, 2007.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, any damage or cracking of the lock plate is found, before
further flight, replace the lock plate with a new or serviceable
part, in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-086, dated June 27, 2007.
(3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, any damage of the wheel nut is found, before further
flight, replace the wheel nut with a new or serviceable part, in
accordance with paragraph 2.B. of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Service Bulletin J41-32-086, dated June 27, 2007.
(4) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, the measured gap size is found to be less than 0.002 inch
(0.05 mm), before further flight, replace any worn parts with new or
serviceable parts, in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of BAE Systems
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-086, dated June 27,
2007. Within 3,000 flight hours after doing the replacement, repeat
the actions for the left and right nose wheel attachments to the
axle that are required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(5) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD, the measured gap size is equal to or more than 0.002 inch
(0.05 mm), repeat the actions for the left and right nose wheel
attachments to the axle that are required by paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed the value indicated in
Table 1 of this AD, depending on the exact finding. If, during any
repeat inspection, the finding has changed to another value (see
Table 1), adjust the new interval accordingly.
Table 1--Repeat Inspection Intervals
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Repeat inspection interval
Measured gap size in flight hours
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0.002 inch to 0.005 inch inclusive (0.05/ 500 flight hours.
0.13 mm).
Greater than 0.005 inch to less than or 1,000 flight hours.
equal to 0.010 inch (0.13/0.25 mm).
Greater than 0.010 inch to less than or 2,000 flight hours.
equal to 0.020 inch (0.25/0.51 mm).
Greater than 0.020 inch (0.51 mm)......... 3,000 flight hours.
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Note 1: Replacement of parts does not constitute terminating
action for the inspection requirements of this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service
information as follows: Although BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Service Bulletin J41-32-086, dated June 27, 2007, does not specify
an inspection following the replacement of the left and right nose
wheel attachment to the axle for measurements less than 0.002 inch,
paragraph (f)(4) of this AD requires an inspection within 3,000
flight hours after replacing the part.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
[[Page 23674]]
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 principal
maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI),
as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight
Standards District Office.
(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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0036, dated February 22, 2008; and BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-086, dated June
27, 2007; for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 7, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-11710 Filed 5-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P