[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 8, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66927-66929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28232]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-152-AD; Amendment 39-11963; AD 2000-22-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (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 all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, 
that requires a functional check of the rudder pedals to ensure full 
and free movement at all rudder pedal positions, and modification of 
the forward rudder pedal boxes. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent restricted movement of the rudder pedals due to 
structural interference, which could result in reduced controllability 
of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 13, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 13, 2000.

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.

[[Page 66928]]


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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 
29, 2000 (65 FR 52373). That action proposed to require a functional 
check of the rudder pedals to ensure full and free movement at all 
rudder pedal positions, and modification of the forward rudder pedal 
boxes.

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

    The FAA estimates that 58 British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the functional check, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,480, or $60 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $20,880, or $360 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 will accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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.

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:

2000-22-16  British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (Formerly Jetstream 
Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited): 
Amendment 39-11963. Docket 2000-NM-152-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

    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 (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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent restricted movement of the rudder pedals due to 
structural interference, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Functional Check

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a functional check of the left and right rudder pedals to ensure 
full and free movement at all rudder pedal positions, in accordance 
with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A27-055, dated March 10, 2000. If any 
restriction in rudder pedal movement is found, prior to further 
flight, accomplish the modification required by paragraph (b) of 
this AD.

Modification

    (b) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the forward pedal boxes (including moving the rudder pedals and 
measuring clearances between the rod attachment bolt and the flange 
of the floor channel; correcting any incorrect clearances; and 
repeating the functional check of the rudder pedals specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD) in accordance with Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-
A27-055, dated March 10, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.


[[Page 66929]]



Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A27-055, dated March 10, 2000. 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 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British 
airworthiness directive 002-03-2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 13, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 30, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28232 Filed 11-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P