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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 12 (Thursday, January 18, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4645-4647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-901]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-57-AD; Amendment 39-12073; AD 2001-01-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 4646]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and 
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This AD requires you to 
remove the nose landing gear steering actuator and install one that 
incorporates a modified piston rod. 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 prevent failure of the nose landing gear steering actuator 
because of problems with the current design piston rod. Continued 
operation with the current design piston rod could result in loss of 
nose wheel steering and possible loss of control of the airplane during 
takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 24, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
February 24, 2001.

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-57-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. Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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 FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all British 
Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 
and 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports three occurrences of nose landing 
gear failure in the area of the undercut on the base of the eye and 
thread on the steering actuator. The CAA reports cracks in this area on 
10 additional nose landing gear units.
    Investigation of these occurrences reveals incorrect installation 
or insufficient lubrication at the steering actuator trunnions. This 
then causes bending loads in the steering actuator piston rod during 
operation.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Cracks 
in or failure of the steering actuator piston rod could result in loss 
of nose wheel steering and possible loss of control of the airplane 
during takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.
    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 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 October 24, 2000 (65 FR 63551). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to remove the nose landing gear steering 
actuator and install one that incorporates a modified piston rod.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. We have 
given due consideration to the comments received.

Comment Disposition

    What is the Commenters' Concern? Several commenters express concern 
over the compliance time that FAA established. In particular, the 
comments are:

--200 hours time-in-service (TIS) is unrealistic for the installation 
because parts would not be available and many of the affected aircraft 
would be unjustly grounded; and
--since CAA and British Aerospace recommend 3,000 landings since May 5, 
2000, FAA should adopt a similar compliance time.
    What is FAA's Response to the Concern? After consulting with 
British Aerospace and CAA, we concur that 200 hours TIS would unjustly 
ground many of the affected aircraft. We are changing the compliance 
time of the installation in this final rule as follows:
    ``Within the next 3,000 landings after May 5, 2000 (the issue date 
of the applicable service information) or within the next 90 days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.''

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 the compliance 
time change and minor editorial corrections. We determined that this 
compliance time change and the minor corrections:

--Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--Will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.

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 the following costs to accomplish the 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Total cost on
               Labor cost                         Parts cost            Total cost per airplane    U.S. airplane
                                                                                                     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour=$120.......  $1,520 per airplane.......  $1,640 per airplane.......        $432,960
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 4647]]

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:

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 Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-01-03  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-12073; Docket No. 2000-
CE-57-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 
and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the nose landing gear 
steering actuator because of problems with the current design piston 
rod. Continued operation with the current design piston rod could 
result in loss of nose wheel steering and possible loss of control 
of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                 Compliance time       Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Remove the nose landing gear  Within the next     In accordance with
 steering actuator and install     3,000 landings      the procedures in
 one that incorporates a           after May 5, 2000   APPH Ltd. Service
 modified piston rod.              (the issue date     Bulletin 32-73,
                                   of the applicable   dated April 2000,
                                   service bulletin)   as referenced in
                                   or within the       British Aerospace
                                   next 90 days        Jetstream
                                   after February      Manadatory
                                   17, 2001 (the       Service Bulletin
                                   effective date of   32-JA000342,
                                   this AD),           Issued: May 5,
                                   whichever occurs    2000.
                                   later, unless
                                   already
                                   accomplished. If
                                   the number of
                                   landings is
                                   unknown, you may
                                   use hours time-in-
                                   service (TIS) by
                                   multiplying the
                                   number of hours
                                   TIS by 0.75. In
                                   this carfe, 3,000
                                   landings would be
                                   equal to 4,000
                                   hours TIS (4,000
                                   hours TIS  x
                                   .75=3,000
                                   landings).
(2) You may not install, on any   As of February 17,  Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, a nose         2001 (the
 landing gear unit that does not   effective date of
 incorporate a modified steering   this AD).
 actuator piston rod, as
 required by paragraph (d)(1) of
 this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Mr. Doug Rudolph, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 
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 APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-73, dated April 2000, as 
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 
32-JA000342, Issued: May 5, 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 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.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on February 24, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 004-
05-2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-901 Filed 1-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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