Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10953-10955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3696]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-224-AD; Amendment 39-12116; AD 2001-03-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 
4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to detect 
loose or migrated levers of the elevator cable tension regulators, and 
replacement of the regulator assembly with a new assembly, if 
necessary. This amendment requires modification of the elevator cable 
tension regulator lever assembly, terminating the repetitive 
inspections. This amendment is

[[Page 10954]]

prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent the elevator cable tension regulator 
from becoming detached from the splined shaft of the assembly, which 
could result result in difficulty adjusting the elevators, leading to 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 28, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-
27-059, dated May 31, 2000, as listed in the regulations, is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 28, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999, as listed in the regulations, 
was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
February 1, 2000 (64 FR 72531, December 28, 1999).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 
13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 99-26-18, 
amendment 39-11478 (64 FR 72531, December 28, 1999), which is 
applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, 
was published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2000 (65 FR 
75879). The action proposed to continue to require repetitive 
inspections to detect loose or migrated levers of the elevator cable 
tension regulators, and replacement of the regulator assembly with a 
new assembly, if necessary. The action also proposed to require 
modification of the elevator cable tension regulator lever assembly, 
terminating the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 57 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD. The repetitive inspection that is currently 
required by AD 99-26-18 takes approximately 2 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $120 per airplane, per inspection 
cycle.
    The modification that is required in this AD will take 
approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. There will be no charge for required 
parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the requirements of 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $20,520, or $360 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11478 (64 FR 
72531, December 28, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12116, to read as follows:

2001-03-12  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited): 
Amendment 39-12116. Docket 2000-NM-224-AD. Supersedes AD 99-26-18, 
Amendment 39-11478.

    Applicability: All Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, 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 the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the elevator cable tension regulators from becoming 
detached from the splined shaft of the assembly, which could result 
in difficulty adjusting the elevators, leading to reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

[[Page 10955]]

Restatement of Certain Actions Required by AD 99-26-18

Inspection

    (a) Within 7 weeks after February 1, 2000 (the effective date of 
AD 99-26-18, amendment 39-11478), perform a detailed visual 
inspection of the elevator cable tension regulator lever assembly to 
detect discrepancies (including looseness and migration along the 
splines of the elevator cable tension regulator assembly), in 
accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated 
September 14, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 flight hours until accomplishment of paragraph 
(c) of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

New Actions Required by This AD

Modification

    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further flight, 
perform the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (c) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD: Within 12 
months after the effective date of this AD, modify the elevator 
cable tension regulators in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-27-059, dated May 31, 2000.
    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any elevator cable tension regulator lever assembly, unless that 
assembly has been modified in accordance with the requirements of 
paragraph (c) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999; and 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-059, dated May 31, 2000; as 
applicable.
    (1) This incorporation by reference of Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-27-059, dated May 31, 2000, is approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin J41-A-27-053, dated September 14, 1999, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 1, 
2000 (64 FR 72531, December 28, 1999).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 
20171. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 006-05-2000.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on March 28, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3696 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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