This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

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Rules and Regulations Federal Register

4349

Vol. 65, No. 18

Thursday, January 27, 2000

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–306–AD; Amendment

39–11524; AD 2000–02–05]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes

an existing airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain British Aerospace

(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, that

currently requires repetitive detailed

visual inspections to detect cracking or

other damage of certain diaphragm

support structures of the forward

equipment compartment; and repair, if

necessary. This amendment continues

to require repetitive inspections, but

also requires replacement of cracked or

damaged diaphragm support structures

with improved parts, which terminates

the requirement for repetitive

inspections. This amendment also adds

airplanes to the applicability of the AD.

This amendment is prompted by the

development of improved diaphragms.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent failure of the two

diaphragms that support the upper

structure of the forward equipment

compartment, which could accelerate

fatigue damage in adjacent structure and

result in reduced structural integrity of

the airframe.

DATES: Effective March 2, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A53–023, Revision 1, dated July 30,

1999, as listed in the regulations, is

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register as of March 2, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A53–023, dated December 2, 1996, as

listed in the regulations, was approved

previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of December 23, 1998 (63 FR

63975, November 18, 1998).

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from British Aerospace Regional

Aircraft American Support, 13850

Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia

20171. 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:

Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2110;

fax (425) 227–1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39)

by superseding AD 98–24–01,

amendment 39–10888 (63 FR 63975,

November 18, 1998), which is

applicable to certain British Aerospace

(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was

published in the Federal Register on

November 26, 1999 (64 FR 66424). The

action proposed to continue to require

repetitive detailed visual inspections to

detect cracking or other damage of

certain diaphragm support structures of

the forward equipment compartment;

and repair, if necessary. The action also

proposed to require replacement of

cracked or damaged diaphragm support

structures with improved parts, which

would terminate the requirement for

repetitive inspections. Additionally, the

action also proposed to add airplanes to

the applicability of the proposed AD.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. No

comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA’s

determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 59 airplanes

of U.S. registry that will be affected by

this AD.

The inspection that is currently

required by AD 98–24–01, and retained

in this AD, takes approximately 1 work

hour per airplane to accomplish, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the inspection requirement of this AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$3,540, or $60 per airplane, per

inspection cycle.

The cost impact figure discussed

above is based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the current or proposed 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 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. Therefore, it is

determined that this final rule does not

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 13132.

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.

4350 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing amendment 39–10888 (63 FR

63975, November 18, 1998), and by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), amendment 39–11524, to read as

follows:

2000–02–05 British Aerospace Regional

Aircraft [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft

Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial

Aircraft) Limited]: Amendment 39–

11524. Docket 99–NM–306–AD.

Supersedes AD 98–24–01, Amendment

39–10888.

Applicability: Jetstream Model 4101

airplanes, on which British Aerospace

Modification JM41384 has not been

accomplished, 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 (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 as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To detect and correct failure of the two

diaphragms that support the upper structure

of the forward equipment compartment,

which could accelerate fatigue damage in

adjacent structure and result in reduced

structural integrity of the airframe,

accomplish the following:

Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD

98–24–01

(a) For airplanes having constructors

numbers 41004 through 41098 inclusive:

Prior to the accumulation of 4,500 total

landings, or within 300 landings after

December 23, 1998 (the effective date of AD

98–24–01, amendment 39–10888), whichever

occurs later: Perform a detailed visual

inspection to detect cracking or other damage

of the diaphragms installed between station

4 and station 8 of the forward fuselage, in

accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–023, dated December 2,

1996, or Revision 1, dated July 30, 1999.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a

detailed visual inspection is defined as: ‘‘An

intensive visual examination of a specific

structural area, system, installation, or

assembly to detect damage, failure, or

irregularity. Available lighting is normally

supplemented with a direct source of good

lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by

the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,

magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface

cleaning and elaborate access procedures

may be required.’’

(1) If no cracking or other damage is

detected, repeat the inspection thereafter at

intervals not to exceed 3,000 landings.

(2) If any cracking or other damage is

detected, prior to further flight, accomplish

the actions required by either paragraph

(a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii). After the effective date of

this AD, only replacement of the diaphragms

in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this

AD is acceptable for compliance with the

repair requirements of this paragraph.

(i) Repair the diaphragm in accordance

with a method approved by the Manager,

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Thereafter,

repeat the inspection at intervals not to

exceed 3,000 landings.

(ii) Replace both diaphragms with new,

improved diaphragms, in accordance with

Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

023, Revision 1, dated July 30, 1999. Such

replacement constitutes terminating action

for the repetitive inspections required by this

AD.

New Repetitive Inspections and Corrective

Actions Required by This AD

(b) For airplanes other than those listed in

paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to the

accumulation of 4,500 total landings, or

within 300 landings after the effective date of

this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a

detailed visual inspection to detect cracking

or other damage of the diaphragms installed

between station 4 and station 8 of the

forward fuselage, in accordance with

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

023, Revision 1, dated July 30, 1999.

(1) If no cracking or other damage is

detected, repeat the inspection thereafter at

intervals not to exceed 3,000 landings.

(2) If any cracking or other damage is

detected, prior to further flight, replace both

diaphragms with new, improved diaphragms,

in accordance with Part 2 of the

Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream

Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–023, Revision

1, dated July 30, 1999. Such replacement

constitutes terminating action for the

repetitive inspections required by this AD.

(c) Replacement of diaphragms with new,

improved diaphragms, in accordance with

Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

023, Revision 1, dated July 30, 1999,

constitutes terminating action for the

requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(d) 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,

International Branch, ANM–116, 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, International Branch,

ANM–116.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

Special Flight Permits

(e) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(f) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(2)(i)

of this AD, the actions shall be done in

accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–023, dated December 2,

1996, or Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A53–023, Revision 1, dated July 30, 1999.

(1) The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

023, Revision 1, dated July 30, 1999, is

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

023, dated December 2, 1996, was approved

previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of December 23, 1998 (63 FR

63975, November 18, 1998).

(3) Copies may be obtained from British

Aerospace Regional Aircraft American

Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon,

Virginia 20171. 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

March 2, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January

19, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–1713 Filed 1–26–00; 8:45 am]

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