Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13326-13328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6100]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-102-AD; Amendment 39-11076; AD 99-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream 
Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 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 HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and 
Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This AD requires replacing 
the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of an improved design. 
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 the nose 
landing gear steering from locking up due to deterioration of the 
original design nose landing gear steering jack seals, which could 
result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, 
landing, and taxi operations.

DATES: Effective April 26, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from

[[Page 13327]]

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. 98-CE-102-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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 British Aerospace 
HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on December 22, 1998 (63 FR 70700). The NPRM proposed 
to require replacing the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of 
improved design. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in 
the NPRM would be in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-
JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 1990, Revision No. 5: September 
4, 1998, and the instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-51, 
which incorporates the following pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Pages                Revision level            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 and 2.......................  Revision 5.......  April 1996.
3.............................  Original Issue...  January 1993.
4, 5, and 6...................  Revision 4.......  October 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 unsafe condition referenced in this AD is not a result of 
repetitive airplane operation. The nose wheel steering jack seals 
deteriorate over time due to weather and climate conditions. For this 
reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS) should be utilized in this AD in 
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes 
in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 250 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $220 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $235,000, or $940 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 
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:

99-06-12  British Aerospace: Amendment 39-11076; Docket No. 98-CE-
102-AD.

    Applicability: HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category; that incorporate the following:
    Steering Jack Type: 618200.
    Nose Gear Type: 1873, B00A702852A, B00A703056A; or B00A703064A.

    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 9 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the nose landing gear steering from locking up due to 
deterioration of the original design nose landing gear steering jack 
seals, which could result in reduced or

[[Page 13328]]

loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and taxi 
operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of 
improved design, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-
JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 1990, Revision No. 5: 
September 4, 1998, and the instructions in APPH Ltd. Service 
Bulletin 32-51, which incorporates the following pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Pages                Revision level            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 and 2.......................  Revision 5.......  April 1996.
3.............................  Original Issue...  January 1993.
4, 5, and 6...................  Revision 4.......  October 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any of the affected airplanes, any landing gear steering jack 
seal that is not of the improved design referenced in the service 
information specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, or an FAA-
approved equivalent.
    (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 the service 
information referenced in this document 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 replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA900942 (Original 
Issue: October 22, 1990), Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998, and 
APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-51, Revision 5, dated April 1996, 
which incorporates the following pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Pages                Revision level            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 and 2.......................  Revision 5.......  April 1996.
3.............................  Original Issue...  January 1993.
4, 5, and 6...................  Revision 4.......  October 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 Aerospace 
Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 
1990, Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998. This service bulletin is 
classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA).

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 26, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6100 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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