Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model BAe ATP Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24017-24019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11479]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-100-AD; Amendment 39-10006; AD 97-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model BAe ATP Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Jetstream Model BAe ATP series airplanes, that 
requires modification of certain parts in the elevator flight control 
system and the propeller switch warning system. This amendment is 
prompted by a report indicating that these parts could interfere with 
the proper operation of these systems. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent the flight crew from having to engage the 
standby elevator control system in order to regulate the pitch of the 
airplane; and to prevent malfunctioning of the pitch warning system for 
the propellers; either of which could lead to reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: Effective June 6, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles 
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream Model BAe ATP 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 
1997 (62 FR 1061). That action proposed to require modification of the 
stop lever for the bellcrank assembly of the elevator flight control 
system. That action also proposed to require that retaining cords on 
the access panels to the powerplant microswitches be removed from 
airplanes on which Jetstream Modification 35205A has been installed 
previously.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 Jetstream Model BAe ATP series airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 7 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification of the stop lever for the bellcrank assembly 
of the elevator flight control system, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required 
modification of this lever on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,200, 
or $420 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required removal of the retaining cords on airplanes that have been 
fitted with Jetstream Modification 35205A. The average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour.

[[Page 24018]]

Based on these figures, the cost impact of this required removal on 
U.S. operators of airplanes fitted with Jetstream Modification 35205A 
is estimated to be $600, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-09-10 Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly British Aerospace 
Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-10006. Docket 96-NM-100-
AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe ATP series airplanes as listed in 
Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-27-78, Revision 1, dated January 31, 
1996; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (c) 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 the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the flight crew from having to engage the standby 
elevator control system in order to regulate the pitch of the 
airplane, and to prevent malfunctioning of the pitch warning system 
for the propellers, either of which could lead to reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes on which Jetstream Modification 35205A has 
been installed: Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, 
remove the retaining cords on the access panels to the powerplant 
microswitches, in accordance with Part 2 of Jetstream Service 
Bulletin ATP-27-78, Revision 1, dated January 31, 1996.

    Note 2: Jetstream Modification 35205A is described in Jetstream 
Service Bulletin ATP-53-19, dated January 13, 1993.

    (b) For all airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date 
of this AD, modify the stop lever for the bellcrank assembly of the 
elevator flight control system, in accordance with Part 1 of 
Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-27-78, Revision 1, dated January 31, 
1996.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The removal and modification shall be done in accordance 
with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-27-78, Revision 1, dated January 
31, 1996, which contains the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Revision level shown                      
          Page No.                   on page         Date shown on page 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 3, 6.....................  1...................  Jan. 31, 1996.      
2, 4, 5, 7-10...............  Original............  Dec. 21, 1995.      
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[[Page 24019]]

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 
16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 6, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 1997.
Neil D. Schalekamp,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-11479 Filed 5-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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