Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 30, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24465-24468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10408]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0053; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-037-AD; 
Amendment 39-18888; AD 2017-10-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-07-07 for 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model HP 137 Jetstream MK1, 
Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as cracking of the forward main landing gear yoke 
pintle resulting from corrosion pits leading to stress corrosion 
cracking. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 5, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publications listed in the AD as of July 5, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0053; or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
phone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-
2017-0053.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft Model HP 137 Jetstream MK1, Jetstream Series 200, and 
Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on February 17, 2017 (82 FR 10973), and proposed to supersede 
AD 2014-07-07,

[[Page 24466]]

Amendment 39-17821 (79 FR 23897; April 29, 2014) (``2014-07-07'').
    The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. The MCAI states that:

    Prompted by occurrences of the main landing gear (MLG) yoke 
pintle housing cracking, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) UK 
issued AD 003-01-86 to require repetitive inspections to detect 
cracks in the yoke pintle housing on MLG fitted to Jetstream 3100 
aeroplanes in accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd Service 
Bulletin (SB) 32-A-JA851226, and, depending on findings, corrective 
action. After that AD was issued, an occurrence was reported of 
Jetstream 3100 MLG failure after landing. The subsequent 
investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of the MLG yoke 
pintle housing to have caused this MLG failure. Furthermore, the 
investigation report recommended a review of the effectiveness of 
CAA UK AD 003-01-86 in finding cracks in the yoke pintle housing on 
MLG fitted to Jetstream 3100 aeroplanes.
    Degradation of the surface protection by abrasion can occur when 
the forward face of the yoke pintle rotates against the pintle 
bearing, which introduces corrosion pits and, consequently, stress 
corrosion cracking.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
structural failure of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control 
of the aeroplane during take-off or landing runs.
    To provide protection of the affected area of the MLG assembly 
spigot housing, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 to 
provide instructions for installation of a protective washer, fitted 
at the forward spigot on both left hand and right hand MLG. 
Consequently, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-A-JA851226 
Revision 05 to provide additional accomplishment instructions for a 
Non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection of MLG equipped with the 
protective washer installed in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862.
    Consequently, EASA issued AD 2013-0208, retaining the 
requirements of CAA UK AD 003-01-86, which was superseded, and 
required implementation of revised inspection requirements, and, 
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 
action(s). That AD also introduced an optional modification, which 
constituted terminating action for the inspections required by that 
AD.
    Since that AD was issued, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd has 
determined that the existing inspection procedure may not be 
effective in identifying stress corrosion cracking in the pintle 
housing. Consequently BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd has published an 
improved inspection procedure in SB 32-A-JA851226 Revision 07. This 
improved inspection procedure has the ability to detect smaller 
corrosion pits and cracks that are proximate in size to those that 
will initiate stress corrosion.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0208, which is superseded, and requires 
MLG inspections in accordance with the improved procedure.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0053-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, dated May 25, 2015. The service 
information describes procedures for nondestructive testing (NDT) and 
visual inspections of the main landing gear spigot housing for cracks 
and repair if necessary. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of the final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 26 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 14 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate this cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $30,940, or $1,190 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 2 work-hours and require parts costing $5,000, for a cost of 
$5,170 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0053; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 24467]]

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
 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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17821 (82 FR 
23897; April 29, 2014), and adding the following new AD:

2017-10-14 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-18888; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0053; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-037-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 5, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-07-07, Amendment 39-17821 (79 FR 
23897, April 29, 2014) (``2014-07-07'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model 
HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 
3101 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracking of the 
forward main landing gear yoke pintle resulting from corrosion pits 
which can cause stress corrosion cracking resulting in loss of 
control during take-off or landing. We are issuing this AD to revise 
the inspection procedure to detect smaller corrosion pits and cracks 
that could initiate stress corrosion cracking.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (11) of this AD:
    (1) For all airplanes: Before or at the next inspection that 
would have been required by AD 2014-07-07 or within the next 30 days 
after July 5, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 
months or 1,200 main landing gear (MLG) flight cycles (FC), 
whichever occurs first, do a nondestructive testing (NDT) inspection 
of each MLG assembly cylinder attachment spigot housing following 
the accomplishment instructions in Heroux Devtek Service Bulletin 
(SB) 32-19, Revision 7, dated March 16, 2015, as specified in the 
accomplishment instructions in paragraph 2.B. Part A of British 
Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 SB 32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, 
dated May 25, 2015.
    (2) For all airplanes: Within 300 landings after a heavy or 
abnormal landing or within 3 months after a heavy or abnormal 
landing, whichever occurs first, do an NDT inspection of each MLG 
assembly cylinder attachment spigot housing following the 
accomplishment instructions in Heroux Devtek Service Bulletin (SB) 
32-19, Revision 7, dated March 16, 2015, as specified in the 
accomplishment instructions in paragraph 2.B. Part A of British 
Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 SB 32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, 
dated May 25, 2015.
    (3) For all airplanes: Within 3 months after accomplishment of 
the latest NDT inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or 
300 MLG FC after accomplishment of the latest NDT inspection 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, whichever occurs first, and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months or 
within 300 MLG FC, whichever occurs first, do a visual inspection of 
each MLG following the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 2.B. 
Part B of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 SB 32-A-
JA851226, Revision 7, dated May 25, 2015. These inspections start 
over after every repetitive NDT inspection required by paragraph 
(f)(1)of this AD.
    (4) For all airplanes with a MLG incorporating a microswitch 
hole: Within the next 10,600 MLG FC since new and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 MLG flight cycles, do an 
NDT inspection of each MLG microswitch hole following the 
accomplishment instructions in paragraph 2.B. Part C of British 
Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 SB 32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, 
dated May 25, 2015.
    (5) For all airplanes: If any discrepancy is found during any 
NDT inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1), (2), or (4) of this 
AD, before further flight, take all necessary corrective actions 
following the instructions in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 
3100 & 3200 SB 32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, dated May 25, 2015.
    (6) For all airplanes: If any discrepancy is found during any 
visual inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, before 
further flight, take all necessary corrective actions following the 
instructions in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 SB 
32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, dated May 25, 2015.
    (7) For all airplanes: Doing all necessary corrective actions 
required in paragraphs (f)(5) or (6) of this AD does not constitute 
terminating action for the inspections required by this AD.
    (8) For all airplanes: Modification of each MLG cylinder 
following BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd. SB 32-JA880340 original 
issue, dated January 6, 1989, constitutes terminating action for the 
inspections required by this AD for that MLG.
    (9) For all airplanes: The compliance times in paragraphs 
(f)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this AD are presented in flight cycles 
(landings). If the total flight cycles have not been kept, multiply 
the total number of airplane hours time-in-service (TIS) by 0.75 to 
calculate the cycles. For the purposes of this AD:
    (i) 100 hours TIS x .75 = 75 cycles; and
    (ii) 1,000 hours TIS x .75 = 750 cycles.

(g) Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (1) This AD allows credit for the initial inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD if done before June 3, 2014 (the 
effective date retained from AD 2014-07-07) following British 
Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-
JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (2) This AD allows credit for the initial inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(4) of this AD if done before June 3, 2014 (the 
effective date retained from AD 2014-07-07) following APPH Ltd. 
Service Bulletin 32-40, at Initial Issue dated June 21, 1989; or 
APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-40, Revision 1, dated February, 2003.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

[[Page 24468]]

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2016-0224, dated November 9, 2016, for related information. The MCAI 
can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0053-0002.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 7, dated May 25, 2015.
    (ii) Heroux Devtek Service Bulletin 32-19, Revision 7, dated 
March 16, 2015.
    (3) For British Aerospace Regional Aircraft service information 
identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd, 
Customer Information Department, Prestwick International Airport, 
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; phone: +44 1292 675207, 
fax: +44 1292 675704; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. In addition, you can access this 
service information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0053.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 10, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10408 Filed 5-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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