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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 17, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3859-3861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-916]



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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 17, 2001 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 3859]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-83-AD; Amendment 39-12072; AD 2001-01-02]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 that are equipped with 
certain nose landing gear units. This AD requires you to inspect the 
steering jack assembly to assure proper clearance between the bush 
heads on the steering plates and the shim on the steering jack 
trunnions and to assure that there is adequate lubrication at both 
trunnions and the eye end fitting. This AD also requires you to adjust 
the clearance and provide adequate lubrication, as necessary. 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 cracked steering 
jack piston rods caused by inadequate clearance or inadequate 
lubrication of the steering jack pivot points. The condition could 
result in failure of the nose wheel steering system with consequent 
loss of airplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 5, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of March 
5, 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. 99-CE-83-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 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 incidents where cracking has occurred at the base of the 
thread in the steering jack piston rod, part number 618212, in the nose 
landing gear unit. The condition could occur on the referenced 
airplanes that are equipped with nose landing gear unit 1873, 
B00A702852A, B00A703064A, or B00A703056A.
    Inadequate clearance or inadequate lubrication of the steering jack 
pivot points can result in unusually high operational loads. These 
loads could result in such cracks in the steering jack piston rod.

What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected?

    A cracked steering jack piston rod could result in failure of the 
nose wheel steering system with consequent loss of airplane control.

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 that are equipped with certain 
nose landing gear units. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 24, 2000 
(65 FR 63553). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the steering 
jack assembly to assure proper clearance between the bush heads on the 
steering plates and the shim on the steering jack trunnions and to 
assure that there is adequate lubrication at both trunnions and the eye 
end fitting. The NPRM also proposed to require you to adjust the 
clearance and provide adequate lubrication, as necessary.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with 
APPH Ltd. Service Newsletter, Issue 2, Jetstream 31 Steering Jack Part 
Number 618200, as referenced in British Aerospace Mandatory Service 
Bulletin 32-JA 981043, dated March 5, 1999.

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.

Cost Impact

How many airplanes does this AD impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 300 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 3860]]

What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected 
airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Total cost   Total cost
          Labor cost              Parts cost        per        on U.S.
                                                  airplane    operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour..  No parts                 $60      $18,000
                                required to
                                accomplish the
                                inspection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
adjustments that are required based on the results of the inspections. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
such adjustments:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost
             Labor cost                    Parts cost            per
                                                               airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour........  No parts necessary for          $60
                                      adjustment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

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:

2001-01-02 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-12072; Docket No. 99-CE-
83-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, that are:
    (1) equipped with a nose landing gear unit 1873, B00A702852A, 
B00A703064A, or B00A703056A; and
    (2) 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 cracked steering jack piston rods 
caused by inadequate clearance or inadequate lubrication of the 
steering jack pivot points. The condition could result in failure of 
the nose wheel steering system with consequent loss of airplane 
control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action               Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the steering jack   Within the next    Accomplish in
 assembly to assure proper       200 hours time-    accordance with the
 clearance between the bush      in-service (TIS)   instructions in APPH
 heads on the steering plates    after March 5,     Ltd. Service
 and the shim on the steering    2001, the          Newsletter, Issue 2,
 jack trunnions and to assure    effective date     Jetstream 31
 that there is adeqeuate         of this AD,        Steering Jack Part
 lubrication at both             unless already     Number 618200, as
 trunniions and the eye end      accomplished.      referenced in
 fitting.                                           British Aerospace
                                                    Mandataory Service
                                                    Bulletin 32-JA
                                                    981043, dated March
                                                    5, 1999.
(2) Adjust the clearance and    Prior to further   Accomplish in
 provide adequate lubrication,   flight after the   accordance with the
 as necessary.                   inspection         instructions in APPH
                                 required by        Ltd. Service
                                 paragraph (d)(1)   Newsletter, Issue 2,
                                 of this AD.        Jetstream 31
                                                    Steering Jack Part
                                                    Number 618200, as
                                                    referenced in
                                                    British Aerospace
                                                    Mandatory Service
                                                    Bulletin 32-JA
                                                    981043, dated March
                                                    5, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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

[[Page 3861]]

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 Newsletter, Issue 2, Jetstream 31 Steering 
Jack Part Number 618200, as referenced in British Aerospace 
Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-JA 981043, dated March 5, 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 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.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on March 5, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD 012-
03-99.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-916 Filed 1-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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