[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5743-5744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2673]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-97-AD; Amendment 39-9917; AD 96-03-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 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 4101 airplanes, that requires a 
one-time inspection for damage caused by arcing and overheating of the 
electrical ground posts (``earth posts'') and ground cables for the 
direct current (DC) power generation and propeller de-icing systems of 
the left and right engines; and repair and replacement, if necessary. 
This amendment also requires the eventual replacement of earth posts 
with new posts. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that 
earth posts on some airplanes have failed due to overheating. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent potential 
consequences of overheating, such as failure of the DC power generation 
and propeller de-icing systems.

DATES: Effective March 14, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 14, 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 4101 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 20, 1996 
(61 FR 59038). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to 
detect damage or signs of overheating of the earth posts and earth 
cables for the DC power generation and propeller de-icing systems of 
the left and right engines. That action proposed to require, prior to 
further flight, repair and replacement of damaged earth posts with new 
posts, and replacement of damaged earth cables with new or serviceable 
cables. That action also proposed to require the eventual replacement 
of all earth posts on all affected airplanes.
    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

    The FAA estimates that 44 Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this proposed AD.
    It will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,120, or $480 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacement of earth posts, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer 
at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required 
replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,120, or $480 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

[[Page 5744]]

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:

96-03-12 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9917. Docket 96NM-
97-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes having constructor number 
41004 through 41074 inclusive, 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.

    To prevent overheating of the electrical ground posts (``earth 
posts'') for the direct current (DC) power generation and de-icing 
systems of the left and right engines, which could result in such 
things as failure of these systems, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 300 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(a)(2) of this AD on both the left and right engines:
    (1) Inspect each earth post and earth post bracket to detect 
damage caused by arcing, signs that it has been overheated, and 
lateral movement of the earth post, in accordance with Part A of 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-24-033, Revision 2, dated January 24, 
1996. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
accomplish both paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this AD:
    (i) Repair any damage and lateral movement in accordance with a 
method approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; and
    (ii) Replace the earth post with a new earth post in accordance 
with Part B of the service bulletin.
    (2) Inspect each ground cable (``earth cable'') for the DC power 
generation and propeller de-icing systems to detect damage caused by 
arcing, and signs that the terminal tags and cable insulation have 
been overheated, in accordance with Part A of the service bulletin. 
If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, replace the 
earth cable with a new or serviceable cable, in accordance with Part 
A of the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
each earth post with a new earth post, in accordance with Part B of 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-24-033, Revision 2, dated January 24, 
1996. Any earth post that is replaced in accordance with paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this AD need not be replaced again under the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (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, 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 2: 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-24-033, Revision 2, dated January 24, 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 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 March 14, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2673 Filed 2-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U