Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30111-30112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14191]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD; Amendment 39-10556; AD 98-11-31]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Jetstream Model 3101 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all British Aerospace (BAe) Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes 
equipped with a certain autopilot. This AD requires modifying the 
autopilot elevator electric system relays by installing two additional 
relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located under the 
right hand crew seat. 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 failure of the autopilot elevator electric system relays for 
the up and down trim interlocks, which could result in uncommanded trim 
servo operation and possible loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone (01292) 479888; 
facsimile (01292) 479703. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-100-AD, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, 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. S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 
(816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all BAe Jetstream 
Model 3101 airplanes equipped with certain autopilots was published in 
the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 
25, 1998 (63 FR 14383). The autopilot system that would be affected by 
the NPRM is installed under Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) 
Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483. These modifications 
encompassed the installation of an autopilot system that has pitch-up 
and pitch-down relays with an 800-hour life limit. The NPRM proposed to 
require modifying the autopilot system by installing two additional 
relays and associated wiring changes in the relay box located below the 
right-hand crew seat in the cockpit. This modification would remove the 
existing 800-hour life limit on the pitch-up and pitch-down relays.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with Jetstream Series 3100/3200 Service Bulletin 
22-JK 2628, Revision 2, Original Issue: October 21, 1996.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for the United 
Kingdom.
    Interested persons have been 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

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a 
calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because this 
action removes an existing 800-hour life limit on the pitch-up and 
pitch-down relays in the autopilot system. Therefore, to ensure that 
the above-referenced condition is corrected on all of the affected 
airplanes within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently 
grounding any airplanes, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time 
instead of hours TIS is required.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 189 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $430 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $149,310, or $790 per airplane.

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

[[Page 30112]]

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 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, 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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-11-31  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-10556; Docket No. 97-CE-
100-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category, that are equipped with 
autopilot systems installed under Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) 
Modifications JM3027, 3243, 3352, or 3483.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, 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 (d) 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 within the next 12 calendar months after 
the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the autopilot elevator electric system 
relays for the up and down trim interlocks, which could result in 
uncommanded trim servo operation and possible loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the autopilot system with Jetstream Aircraft Ltd. 
(JAL) Kit No. JK 2628 in accordance with Jetstream 3100/3200 Series 
Service Bulletin No. 22-JK 2628, Revision 2, Original Issue: October 
21, 1996, by installing two additional relays in the relay box with 
associated wiring changes. This relay box is located under the 
right-hand crew seat in the cockpit.
    (b) The modification required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
eliminates the 800-hour life limit requirement for the pitch-up and 
pitch-down relays. Operators are encouraged to obtain the revision 
for their affected maintenance manuals that is available from the 
manufacturer.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Jetstream 
3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin No. 22-JK 2628, Revision 2, 
Original Issue: October 21, 1996, should be directed to British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, 
Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone (01292) 479888; facsimile 
(01292) 479703. This service information may be examined at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (f) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream 3100/3200 Series Service Bulletin No. 22-
JK 2628, Revision 2, Original Issue: October 21, 1996. 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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British AD No. 
006-10-96, undated.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 21, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14191 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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