Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46066-46068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15224]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0929; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01401-T; 
Amendment 39-22481; AD 2023-12-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by in-service cracking of the passenger door edge member, seal 
carrier, and inner skin, adjacent to the roller guide bracket. This AD 
requires a one-time inspection of the external visible surface of the 
inner skin, door edge member, and seal carrier adjacent to the roller 
bracket attachment brackets; and the inner skin, door edge member, and 
seal carrier at the roller bracket attachment bore, and repair if 
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 23, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 23, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0929; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact BAE Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information 
Department, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, 
Scotland, United Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 
675704; email [email protected]; website regional-services.com.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0929.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3228; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 14, 2023 (88 FR 22920). The NPRM was prompted 
by AD G-2022-0019, dated October 31, 2022, issued by The Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority for the United Kingdom 
(U.K.) (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that in-
service cracking occurred on the Jetstream 41 passenger door edge 
member, seal carrier, and inner skin, adjacent to the roller guide 
bracket. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited reviewed the fatigue test 
data and existing inspection requirements, and concluded a new 
inspection is needed to address this potential unsafe condition.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection of 
the external visible surface of the inner skin, door edge member, and 
seal carrier adjacent to the roller bracket attachment brackets; and 
the inner skin, door edge member, and seal carrier at the roller 
bracket attachment bore, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address undetected cracking of the

[[Page 46067]]

passenger door. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
a partial failure of the passenger door, and consequent reduced 
structural integrity of the passenger door.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0929.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined 
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed BAe JETSTREAM Series 4100 Service Bulletin J41-52-
065, Revision 1, dated June 8, 2022. This service information specifies 
procedures for a one-time eddy current inspection of the external 
visible surface of the inner skin, door edge member, and seal carrier 
adjacent to the roller bracket attachment brackets for cracking; a one-
time eddy current inspection of the inner skin, door edge member, and 
seal carrier at the roller bracket attachment bores for cracking; and 
repair.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 12 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $170.....................              $0             $170           $2,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2023-12-22 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited: Amendment 39-22481; 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0929; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01401-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 23, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 
4101 airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by in-service cracking of the passenger 
door edge member, seal carrier, and inner skin, adjacent to the 
roller guide bracket. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
undetected cracking of the passenger door. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in a partial failure of the passenger 
door, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the passenger 
door.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspections

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of 
this AD, accomplish an eddy current inspection of the external 
visible surface of the inner skin, door edge member, and seal 
carrier adjacent to the roller bracket attachment brackets for 
cracking; and an eddy current inspection of the inner skin, door 
edge member, and seal

[[Page 46068]]

carrier at the roller bracket attachment bores for cracking, in 
accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
BAe JETSTREAM Series 4100 Service Bulletin J41-52-065, Revision 1, 
dated June 8, 2022.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 18,000 total flight 
cycles or fewer as of the effective date of this AD: Accomplish the 
inspections prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 18,000 total 
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Accomplish the 
inspections within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of 
this AD.

(h) Corrective Actions

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any crack is detected: Before further flight, repair using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or 
the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (U.K. CAA); or BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited's U.K. CAA's (DOA). If approved by the 
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although BAe JETSTREAM Series 4100 Service Bulletin J41-52-065, 
Revision 1, dated June 8, 2022, specifies to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager, 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD or email to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also submit information by 
email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or the U.K. CAA; or BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited's U.K. CAA's Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved 
by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to U.K. CAA G-2022-0019, dated October 31, 2022, for 
related information. This U.K. CAA AD may be found in the AD docket 
at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0929.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3228; email 
[email protected].

(l) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) BAe JETSTREAM Series 4100 Service Bulletin J41-52-065, 
Revision 1, dated June 8, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited, Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; telephone +44 1292 675207; fax +44 1292 675704; email 
[email protected]; website regional-services.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (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, email [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 13, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15224 Filed 7-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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