This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

63551

Vol. 65, No. 206

Tuesday, October 24, 2000

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–CE–57–AD]

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: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

adopt a new airworthiness directive

(AD) that would apply to all British

Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series

200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and

3201 airplanes. The proposed AD would

require you to remove the nose landing

gear steering actuator and install one

that incorporates a modified piston rod.

The proposed AD is the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom. The actions specified by the

proposed AD are intended to prevent

failure of the nose landing gear steering

actuator because of problems with the

current design piston rod. Continued

operation with the current design piston

rod could result in loss of nose wheel

steering and possible loss of control of

the airplane during takeoff, landing, and

taxi operations.

DATES: The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) must receive any

comments on this proposed rule on or

before November 22, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Regional Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 2000–CE–57–AD, 901

Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106. Comments may be

inspected at this location between 8

a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through

Friday, holidays excepted.

Service information that applies to the

proposed AD may be obtained from

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft,

Prestwick International Airport,

Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland;

telephone: (01292) 479888; facsimile:

(01292) 479703. This information also

may be examined at the Rules Docket at

the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4145; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on the proposed

AD? The FAA invites comments on this

proposed rule. You may submit

whatever written data, views, or

arguments you choose. You need to

include the rule’s docket number and

submit your comments in triplicate to

the address specified under the caption

ADDRESSES. The FAA will consider all

comments received on or before the

closing date. We may amend the

proposed rule in light of comments

received. Factual information that

supports your ideas and suggestions is

extremely helpful in evaluating the

effectiveness of the proposed AD action

and determining whether we need to

take additional rulemaking action.

Are there any specific portions of the

proposed AD I should pay attention to?

The FAA specifically invites comments

on the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule that might suggest a

need to modify the rule. You may

examine all comments we receive before

and after the closing date of the rule in

the Rules Docket. We will file a report

in the Rules Docket that summarizes

each FAA contact with the public that

concerns the substantive parts of the

proposed AD.

We are re-examining the writing style

we currently use in regulatory

documents, in response to the

Presidential memorandum of June 1,

1998. That memorandum requires

Federal agencies to communicate more

clearly with the public. We are

interested in your comments on whether

the style of this document is clearer, and

any other suggestions you might have to

improve the clarity of FAA

communications that affect you. You

can get more information about the

Presidential memorandum and the plain

language initiative at http://

www.plainlanguage.gov.

How can I be sure FAA receives my

comment? If you want us to

acknowledge the receipt of your

comments, you must include a selfaddressed, stamped postcard. On the

postcard, write ‘‘Comments to Docket

No. 2000–CE–57–AD.’’ We will date

stamp and mail the postcard back to

you.

Discussion

What events have caused this

proposed AD? The Civil Aviation

Authority (CAA), which is the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that

an unsafe condition may exist on all

British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream

series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101

and 3201 airplanes. The CAA reports

three occurrences of nose landing gear

failure in the area of the undercut on the

base of the eye and thread on the

steering actuator. The CAA reports

cracks in this area on 10 additional nose

landing gear units.

Investigation of these occurrences

reveals incorrect installation or

insufficient lubrication at the steering

actuator trunnions. This then causes

bending loads in the steering actuator

piston rod during operation.

What are the consequences if the

condition is not corrected? Cracks in or

failure of the steering actuator piston

rod could result in loss of nose wheel

steering and possible loss of control of

the airplane during takeoff, landing, and

taxi operations.

Is there service information that

applies to this subject? British

Aerospace has issued Jetstream

Mandatory Service Bulletin 32–

JA000342, Issued: May 5, 2000. This

service bulletin:

• Specifies removing the nose landing

gear steering actuator and installing one

that incorporates a modified piston rod;

and

• References APPH Ltd. Hydraulics

Service Bulletin 32–73, dated April

2000, which includes and references

procedures for accomplishing the

removal and installation actions.

What action did the CAA take? The

CAA classified this service bulletin as

mandatory and issued British AD 004–

05–2000, not dated, in order to assure

63552 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 206 / Tuesday, October 24, 2000 / Proposed Rules

the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in the United Kingdom.

Was this in accordance with the

bilateral airworthiness agreement?

These airplane models are

manufactured in the United Kingdom

and are type certificated for operation in

the United States under the provisions

of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness

agreement.

Pursuant to this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, the CAA has

kept FAA informed of the situation

described above.

The FAA’s Determination and an

Explanation of the Provisions of the

Proposed AD

What has FAA decided? The FAA has

examined the findings of the CAA;

reviewed all available information,

including the service information

referenced above; and determined that:

• The unsafe condition referenced in

this document exists or could develop

on other British Aerospace HP137 Mk1,

Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream

Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes of the

same type design;

• The actions specified in the

previously-referenced service

information should be accomplished on

the affected airplanes; and

• AD action should be taken in order

to correct this unsafe condition.

What would the proposed AD require?

This proposed AD would require you to

remove the nose landing gear steering

actuator and install one that

incorporates a modified piston rod.

Are there differences between the

proposed AD and the British AD?

British AD 004–05–2000 requires these

actions on airplanes registered in the

United Kingdom within 180 days after

the effective date of the British AD.

Since cracks in or failure of the nose

landing gear steering actuator piston rod

is related to airplane operation, we are

proposing the compliance time in hours

time-in-service (TIS) instead of calendar

time. We believe that ‘‘within 200 hours

time-in-service TIS after the effective

date of the AD’’ is an appropriate

compliance time.

Cost Impact

How many airplanes would the

proposed AD impact? We estimate that

the proposed AD affects 264 airplanes in

the U.S. registry.

What would be the cost impact of the

proposed AD on owners/operators of the

affected airplanes? We estimate the

following costs to accomplish the

proposed modification:

Labor cost Parts cost per

airplane

Total cost per

airplane

Total cost on

U.S. airplane

operators

2 workhours × $60 per hour = $120. ...................................................................... $1,520 ...................... $1,640 ...................... $432,960

Regulatory Impact

Would this proposed AD impact

various entities? The regulations

proposed herein would 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 proposed rule

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

Would this proposed AD involve a

significant rule or regulatory action? For

the reasons discussed above, I certify

that this proposed 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) if

promulgated, 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 draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority

delegated to me by the Administrator,

the Federal Aviation Administration

proposes to amend 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. FAA amends Section 39.13 by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

British Aerospace: Docket No. 2000–CE–

57–AD

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD?

This AD affects Models HP137 Mk1,

Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models

3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers,

certificated in any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD?

Anyone who wishes to operate any of the

above airplanes on the U.S. Register must

comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address?

The actions specified by this AD are intended

to prevent failure of the nose landing gear

steering actuator because of problems with

the current design piston rod. Continued

operation with the current design piston rod

could result in loss of nose wheel steering

and possible loss of control of the airplane

during takeoff, landing, and taxi operations.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to

address this problem? To address this

problem, you must accomplish the following:

Action Compliance time Procedures

(1) Remove the nose landing gear steering actuator and install one that incorporates a

modified piston rod.

Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after

the effective date of this AD, unless already

accomplished.

In accordance with the procedures in APPH

Ltd. Service Bulletin 32–73, dated April

2000, as referenced in British Aerospace

Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 32–

JA000342, Issued: May 5, 2000.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 206 / Tuesday, October 24, 2000 / Proposed Rules 63553

Action Compliance time Procedures

(2) You may not install,on any affected airplane, a nose landing gear unit that does not

incorporate a modified steering actuator piston rod, as required by paragraph (d)(1) of

this AD.

As of the effective date of this AD ................... Not Applicable.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other

way? You may use an alternative method of

compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance

provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, approves your alternative.

Submit your request through an FAA

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may

add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in paragraph (a) of this AD,

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 (e)

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 you have not

eliminated the unsafe condition, specific

actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any

already-approved alternative methods of

compliance? Contact Mr. S.M. Nagarajan,

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane

Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4145; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to

another location to comply with this AD? The

FAA can issue a special flight permit under

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and

21.199) to operate your airplane to a location

where you can accomplish the requirements

of this AD.

(h) How do I get copies of the documents

referenced in this AD? You may obtain copies

of the documents referenced in this AD from

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft,

Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire,

KA9 2RW, Scotland. You may examine these

documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of

the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed

in British AD 004–05–2000.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

October 17, 2000.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–27223 Filed 10–23–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–CE–83–AD]

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: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

adopt a new airworthiness directive

(AD) that would apply to certain British

Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series

200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and

3201 airplanes that are equipped with

certain nose landing gear units. The

proposed AD would require you to

inspect the steering jack assembly to

assure proper clearance between the

bush heads on the steering plates and

the shim on the steering jack trunnions

and to assure that there is adequate

lubrication at both trunnions and the

eye end fitting. The proposed AD would

also require you to adjust the clearance

and provide adequate lubrication, as

necessary. The proposed AD is the

result of mandatory continuing

airworthiness information (MCAI)

issued by the airworthiness authority for

the United Kingdom. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent cracked steering

jack piston rods caused by inadequate

clearance or inadequate lubrication of

the steering jack pivot points. The

condition could result in failure of the

nose wheel steering system with

consequent loss of airplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) must receive any

comments on this proposed rule on or

before November 22, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Regional Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 99–CE–83–AD, 901

Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106. Comments may be

inspected at this location between 8

a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through

Friday, holidays excepted.

Service information that applies to the

proposed AD may be obtained from

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft,

Prestwick International Airport,

Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland;

telephone: (01292) 479888; facsimile:

(01292) 479703. This information also

may be examined at the Rules Docket at

the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

S.M. Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4145; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on the proposed

AD? The FAA invites comments on this

proposed rule. You may submit

whatever written data, views, or

arguments you choose. You need to

include the rule’s docket number and

submit your comments in triplicate to

the address specified under the caption

ADDRESSES. The FAA will consider all

comments received on or before the

closing date. We may amend the

proposed rule in light of comments

received. Factual information that

supports your ideas and suggestions is

extremely helpful in evaluating the

effectiveness of the proposed AD action

and determining whether we need to

take additional rulemaking action.

Are there any specific portions of the

proposed AD I should pay attention to?

The FAA specifically invites comments

on the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule that might suggest a

need to modify the rule. You may

examine all comments we receive before

and after the closing date of the rule in

the Rules Docket. We will file a report

in the Rules Docket that summarizes

each FAA contact with the public that