Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 94 (Monday, May 15, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30863-30865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11718]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-72-AD; Amendment 39-11722; AD 2000-09-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace 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 British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. This AD 
requires you to inspect the fuel quantity indication system for damage 
to the insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks, and repair or 
replace damaged wiring. Damage is defined as corrosion (indicated by a 
dark stain), cuts, or nicks. 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 damage to the insulation of the wiring within the 
fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication system, which could result 
in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking 
inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or explosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 23, 2000.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of June 
23, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland;

[[Page 30864]]

telephone: (01292) 672345; facsimile: (01292) 671625. You may examine 
this information at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-
CE-72-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: Mr. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; facsimile: (816) 329-
3091.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    What caused this AD? This AD is the result of damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the wing fuel tanks of the fuel 
quantity indication system on two British Aerospace Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes. Further investigation shows that the damage to the 
insulation occurred during factory installation.
    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 Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 6, 2000 (65 FR 729). 
The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the fuel quantity 
indication system for damage to the insulation of the wiring within the 
fuel tanks, with necessary repair or replacement of damaged wiring. 
Damage is defined as corrosion (indicated by a dark stain), cuts, or 
nicks.
    The NPRM would require you to accomplish the proposed actions in 
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-
A-JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; or British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: 
September 8, 1999; Revision No. 1: November 12, 1999.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA offered interested 
persons the opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. 
We have given due consideration to the one comment received.

Comment Disposition

    What is the Commenter's Concern? The commenter requests that FAA 
extend the compliance time to 3 months instead of 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or 60 calendar days, whichever occurs first. The 
commenter states that high usage Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes can 
accumulate 100 hours TIS in well under 30 days. The commenter's concern 
is that entities with large fleets of the affected airplanes may not be 
able to accomplish the proposed AD if not given at least a 30-day 
period.
    What is FAA's Response to the Concern? We concur with extending the 
compliance time, but not to 3 months. We will maintain the 60 calendar 
days, and will increase the 100-hour TIS time to 200 hours TIS. This 
will give the high usage airplanes more than 30 days to accomplish the 
action and the low usage airplanes 60 days. British Aerospace issued 
the service information in September 1999 and specified compliance in 
October 1999. The change in the compliance time coincides with the 
service bulletin.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After reviewing 
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 the change in the 
compliance time and minor editorial corrections.
    How do these changes and corrections affect the AD? We have 
determined that the change and minor corrections will not change the 
meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the 
public than was already proposed.

Compliance Time of This AD

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD is within the next 200 hours TIS or 60 calendar days, whichever 
occurs first.
    Why is the compliance in both calendar time and hours TIS? The 
compliance time of this AD is presented in both calendar time and hours 
TIS. Damage to the insulation of the wires in the fuel quantity 
indicator system could result in corrosion in the core conductor. 
Corrosion damage can then develop regardless of whether the airplane is 
in flight, and may not develop until a later time. Therefore, in order 
to assure that any damage does not go undetected, we are utilizing a 
compliance time of both hours TIS and calendar time (the prevalent one 
being that which occurs first).

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? The FAA estimates that this 
AD affects 115 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this action on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate that it would take approximately 60 
workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, at an average labor 
rate of $60 an hour. Based on these figures, FAA estimates the cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators at $414,000, or $3,600 per 
airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    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.
    The FAA has determined 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 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. We have placed a copy of the final regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action in the Rules Docket. You may obtain a copy of 
it at 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 Section 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

2000-09-13  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11722; Docket No. 99-CE-
72-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the

[[Page 30865]]

above airplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem and safety aspects does this AD address? The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to detect damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity 
indication system. If not detected and corrected, this damage could 
result in a malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical 
sparking inside the fuel tank with consequent fire or explosion.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the fuel quantity     At whichever of the   Accomplish these
 indication system for         following that        actions in
 damage to the insulation of   occurs first:         accordance with one
 the wiring within the fuel   --Within the next      of the following:
 tanks. Damage is defined as   200 hours time-in-   --British Aerospace
 corrosion (indicated by a     service (TIS) after   Jetstream Alert
 dark stain), cuts, or nicks.  June 23, 2000 (the    Service Bulletin 28-
                               effective date of     A-JA990841,
                               this AD); or.         Original Issue:
                              --On or before         September 8, 1999;
                               August 21, 2000 (60   or
                               days after the       --British Aerospace
                               effective date of     Jetstream Alert
                               this AD).             Service Bulletin 28-
                                                     A-JA990841,
                                                     Original Issue:
                                                     September 8, 1999;
                                                     Revision No. 1:
                                                     November 12, 1999.
Replace or repair any         Prior to further      Accomplish in
 damaged wiring.               flight after the      accordance with one
                               inspection required   of the previously
                               by this AD.           referenced service
                                                     bulletins.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way?
    (1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust 
the compliance time if:
    (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (ii) The Manager, 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.
    (2) This AD applies to any airplane referenced 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 
those 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)(1) 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 the Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (816) 329-4140; 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 
Secs. 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) Who should I contact if I have questions regarding the 
service information? Direct all questions or technical information 
related to this AD to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: 
(01292) 672345; facsimile: (01292) 671625.
    (i) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? You must accomplish the actions required by this AD in 
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; or British 
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original 
Issue: September 8, 1999; Revision No. 1: November 12, 1999. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. You can look at 
copies at 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.
    (j) Has another airworthiness authority addressed this action? 
The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 003-09-99, dated 
September 13, 1999.
    (k) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on June 23, 2000.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 4, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11718 Filed 5-12-00; 8:45 am]
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