Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64792-64794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26370]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-25-AD; Amendment 39-12905; AD 2002-20-08]
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 supersedes AD 2000-09-13, which currently 
requires you to inspect the fuel quantity indication system for damage 
to the insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks on British 
Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes and requires you to repair or 
replace damaged wiring. This AD retains the actions of AD 2000-09-13 
and requires you to replace the fuel quantity indication system wiring 
harness with improved design parts, inspect the fuel boost pump area 
for damage, and replace any damaged component. 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 damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity 
indication system. If not detected, corrected, and prevented, such 
damaged wiring could result in damage to the fuel boost pump and 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 December 18, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service 
Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; and British 
Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original 
Issue: September 8, 1999, Revision No. 1: November 12, 1999, as of June 
23, 2000 (65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 28-JM8226, 
Original Issue: March 11, 2002, as of December 18, 2002.

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) 672345; 
facsimile: (01292) 671625. You may view this information at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-25-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: 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?

    Reports 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 caused us to issue AD 2000-09-
13, Amendment 39-11722 (65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000). This AD requires 
you to accomplish the following on all British Aerospace Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes:

--Inspect the fuel quantity indication system for damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks; and
--Repair or replace damaged wiring.

    These actions must be accomplished 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 Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified FAA that an unsafe 
condition may continue to exist in the fuel quantity insulation wiring 
area on all British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The CAA 
reports that the existing fuel quantity indication system wiring 
harness is composed of ``equipment grade'' wiring instead of ``aircraft 
grade'' wiring. This ``equipment grade'' wiring has a thinner 
insulation wall and will eventually deteriorate regardless of whether 
repaired as required by AD 2000-09-13.
    In addition, the current wiring configuration can rub on the 
components in the fuel boost pump area and cause consequent damage.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    If not detected, corrected, and prevented, damage to the insulation 
of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity indication 
system could result in the following:

--Damage to the fuel boost pump;

[[Page 64793]]

--A malfunction in the cockpit indicators and/or electrical sparking 
inside the fuel tank; and
--A consequent fire or explosion.

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 August 9, 2002 (67 FR 51797). The NPRM proposed to supersede 
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-09-13, which currently requires you 
to inspect the fuel quantity indication system for damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks on British Aerospace 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes and requires you to repair or replace 
damaged wiring. This proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2000-
09-13 and require you to replace the fuel quantity indication system 
wiring harness with improved design parts, inspect the fuel boost pump 
area for damage, and replace any damaged component.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

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 have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 200 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 inspection and 
replacement:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total cost per       Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                        Parts cost             airplane              operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
130 workhours x $60 = $7,800...........  $1,200 per airplane......          $9,000     $9,000 x 200 = $1,800,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no method of determining the number of repairs each 
owner/operator would incur based on the results of the proposed 
inspections. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such repair. The extent of damage would vary on each airplane.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2000-09-13, Amendment 39-11722 (65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000) and adding a 
new AD to read as follows:

2002-20-08 British Aerospace: Amendment 39-12905; Docket No. 2002-
CE-25-AD; Supersedes AD 2000-9-13, Amendment 39-11722.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD 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 damage to the 
insulation of the wiring within the fuel tanks of the fuel quantity 
indication system. If not detected, corrected, and prevented, such 
damaged wiring could result in damage to the fuel boost pump and 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:

[[Page 64794]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the fuel          At whichever of the   In accordance with
 quantity indication system    following occurs      either British
 for damage to the             first, unless         Aerospace Jetstream
 insulation of the wiring      already               Alert Service
 within the fuel tanks.        accomplished:         Bulletin 28-A-
 Damage is defined as          within the next 200   JA990841, Original
 corrosion (indicated by a     hours time-in-        Issue: September 8,
 dark stain), cuts, or nicks.  service (TIS) after   1999; or British
                               June 23, 2002 (the    Aerospace Jetstream
                               effective date AD     Alert Service
                               200-09-13); or on     Bulletin 28-A-
                               or before August      JA990841, Original
                               21, 2000 (60 days     Issue: September 8,
                               after the effective   1999, Revision No.
                               date of AD 2000-09-   1: November 12,
                               13).                  1999.
-----------------------------
(2) Replace or repair any     Prior to further      In accordance with
 damaged wiring.               flight after the      either British
                               inspection required   Aerospace Jetstream
                               by paragraph (d)(1)   Alert Service
                               of this AD.           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.
-----------------------------
(3) Inspect the fuel boost    Inspect within the    In accordance with
 pump area for damage and      next 12 months        British Aerospace
 replace any damaged           after December 18,    Jetstream Service
 component.                    2002 (the effective   Bulletin 28-JM8226,
                               date of this AD),     Original Issue:
                               unless already        March 11, 2002.
                               accomplished.
                               Replace any damaged
                               component prior to
                               further flight
                               after the
                               inspection.
-----------------------------
(4) Replace the fuel          Within the next 12    In accordance with
 quantity indication system    months after          British Aerospace
 wiring harness with           December 18, 2002     Jetstream Service
 improved design parts and     (the effective date   Bulletin 28-JM8226,
 reroute the wiring harness    of this AD), unless   Original Issue:
 installation. This            already               March 11, 2002.
 replacement incorporates      accomplished.
 Jetstream Modification
 JM8226.
-----------------------------
(5) Only install a fuel       As of December 18,    Not applicable.
 quantity indication system    2002 (the effective
 wiring harness that           date of this AD).
 incorporates Jetstream
 Modification JM8226 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent parts).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office 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 Standards Office Manager.

    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 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 
Sec. Sec.  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? (1) Actions required by this AD must be done in 
accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; British Aerospace 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: 
September 8, 1999, Revision No. 1: November 12, 1999; and British 
Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 28-JM8226, Original Issue: 
March 11, 2002.
    (i) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of British Aerospace Jetstream Service 
Bulletin 28-JM8226, Original Issue: March 11, 2002, under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (ii) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved 
the incorporation by reference of British Aerospace Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin 28-A-JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999; 
and British Aerospace Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 28-A-
JA990841, Original Issue: September 8, 1999, Revision No. 1: 
November 12, 1999, as of June 23, 2000 (66 FR 30863, May 15, 2000).
    (2) You may get copies from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; 
telephone: (01292) 672345; facsimile: (01292) 671625. You may view 
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 December 18, 2002.

    Note 2:
    The subject of this AD is addressed in CAA AD 001-03-2002, as 
specified in British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 28-JM8226, 
Original Issue: March 11, 2002.



    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 8, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26370 Filed 10-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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