Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 199 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60850-60852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25554]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-12-AD; Amendment 39-11924; AD 2000-20-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream 
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 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 certain British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, 
and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This AD requires you to 
inspect the rudder quadrant support structure for cracks and correct D-
washer installation; and also requires you to replace any cracked 
component and replace any incorrectly installed D-washers. 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, correct, and 
prevent further cracking in the rudder quadrant structure caused by 
incorrectly installed D-washers. Cracks in this structure could result 
in loss of rudder control with consequent airplane control problems.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 27, 2000.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
November 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; 
facsimile: (01292) 479703. You may examine this information at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-12-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas

[[Page 60851]]

City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; facsimile: (816) 329-
4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Authority 
(CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, 
recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain 
British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 
3101 and 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports two incidents of cracks in the 
upper edge member radii and bottom diaphragm radii of the rudder 
quadrant support structure.
    Investigation of these incidents revealed that the D-washers in the 
rudder quadrant support structure were installed incorrectly. These D-
washers, when installed correctly, are designed to reinforce the bend 
radii of the affected structure.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Cracks 
in the rudder quadrant support structure, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in loss of rudder control with consequent 
airplane control problems.
    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 certain British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, 
Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 10, 2000, (65 FR 48933). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to inspect the rudder quadrant support 
structure for cracks and correct D-washer installation; and would 
require you to replace any cracked component and replace any 
incorrectly installed D-washers.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No 
comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination 
of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful 
review of 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 minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:
    <bullet> Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
    <bullet> Will not add any additional burden upon the public than 
was already proposed.

Compliance Time

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD will be ``within 90 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD.''
    Why is the compliance in calendar time instead of hours time-in-
service (TIS)? The cracks in the rudder quadrant support structure 
occur as a direct result of airplane operation if the D-washers are 
incorrectly installed. Because the D-washers could have been 
incorrectly installed in the field or at the factory, the problem has 
the same chance of occurring on an airplane with 50 hours TIS as one 
with 5,000 hours TIS. Therefore, we believe that 90 calendar days will:
    <bullet> Assure that the unsafe condition does not go undetected 
for a long period of time on the affected airplanes; and
    <bullet> Will not inadvertently ground any of the affected 
airplanes.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 264 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate that it will take approximately 1 
workhour per airplane to accomplish the inspection of the rudder 
quadrant support structure and the D-washers, at an average labor rate 
of $60 an hour. Based on the figures presented above, the total cost 
impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,840, 
or $60 per airplane.
    Costs for any necessary replacements are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Total cost
                 Action                                Number of workhours               Parts cost      per
                                                                                                       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Right upper edge member replacement.....  8 workhours at $60 per hour.................         $514         $994
Lower diaphragm replacement.............  8 workhours at $60 per hour.................          760        1,240
D-washer replacement....................  4 workhours at $60 per hour.................          250          490
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Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? 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.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify 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, positive or negative, 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 Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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:

[[Page 60852]]

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 AD to read as follows:

2000-20-13  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11924; Docket No. 2000-
CE-12-AD.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200 airplanes, and Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers excluding 936 and 
940, certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with 
this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect, correct, and prevent further 
cracking in the rudder quadrant structure caused by incorrectly 
installed D-washers. Cracks in this structure could result in loss 
of rudder control with consequent airplane control problems.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the upper edge    Within 90 calendar    Accomplish in
 member radii and bottom       days after November   accordance with the
 diaphragm radii adjacent to   27, 2000 (the         ``ACCOMPLISHMENT
 the rudder artificial feel    effective date of     INSTRUCTIONS: Part
 assembly attachments at the   this AD).             1--Inspection''
 rudder quadrant support for                         section of British
 cracks and inspect the D-                           Aerospace Mandatory
 washers to assure correct                           Alert Service
 installation.                                       Bulletin 53-JA-
                                                     990842, Revision 1,
                                                     dated February 21,
                                                     2000.
(2) If cracks are found in    Before further        Accomplish in
 the area of the upper edge    flight after the      accordance with the
 member radii on the rudder    inspection where      ``ACCOMPLISHMENT
 quadrant support structure,   the cracked part      INSTRUCTIONS: Part
 replace this component by     was detected.         2--Replacement of
 incorporating material Kit                          the right upper
 No. `53-JA-990842PT2'.                              edge member if
                                                     cracks are found at
                                                     Part 1'' section of
                                                     British Aerospace
                                                     Mandatory Alert
                                                     Service Bulletin 53-
                                                     JA-990842, Revision
                                                     1, dated February
                                                     21, 2000.
(3) If cracks are found in    Before further        Accomplish in
 the area of the bottom        flight after the      accordance with the
 diaphragm on the rudder       inspection where      ``ACCOMPLISHMENT
 quadrant support structure,   the cracked part      INSTRUCTIONS: Part
 replace this component by     was detected.         3--Replacement of
 incorporating material Kit                          the bottom
 No. `53-JA-990842PT3'.                              diaphragm of the
                                                     rudder quadrant
                                                     support structure''
                                                     section of British
                                                     Aerospace Mandatory
                                                     Alert Service
                                                     Bulletin 53-JA-
                                                     990842, Revision 1,
                                                     dated February 21,
                                                     2000.
(4) Remove any incorrectly    Before further        Accomplish in
 installed D-washer and        flight after the      accordance with the
 replace with a new D-         inspection where      ``ACCOMPLISHMENT
 washer. This replacement is   the incorrect         INSTRUCTIONS: Part
 accomplished by               installation was      4--Removal and
 incorporating material Kit    detected.             replacement of D-
 No. `53-JA-990842PT4'.                              washers'' section
                                                     of British
                                                     Aerospace Mandatory
                                                     Alert Service
                                                     bulletin 53-JA-
                                                     990842, Revision 1,
                                                     dated February 21,
                                                     2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) 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, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified 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 
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) 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 S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; 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 
sections 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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with British Aerospace Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin 53-JA-
990842, Revision 1, dated February 21, 2000. 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 the 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 
20001.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on November 27, 2000.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD Number 
006-12-99, not dated.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 28, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-25554 Filed 10-12-00; 8:45 am]
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