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

37793

Vol. 63, No. 134

Tuesday, July 14, 1998

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–152–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

supersedure of an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to certain

British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model

4101 airplanes, that currently requires

an inspection to determine the data on

the label of certain hose assemblies, and

replacement of all hose assemblies from

any discrepant batch with certain new

hose assemblies. That AD was prompted

by a report of the failure of a hose

assembly in the fire extinguisher system

of the engine nacelle due to cracks,

caused during manufacture of the hose

assemblies, in the swaged ferrule that

attaches the hose to the end fitting. The

actions specified by that AD are

intended to ensure that such discrepant

hose assemblies are replaced.

Discrepant hose assemblies could fail

and consequently prevent the proper

distribution of fire extinguishing agent

within the engine nacelle in the event

of a fire. This action would require a

one-time inspection for different data on

the label of certain hose assemblies, and

replacement of all hose assemblies from

any discrepant batch with certain new

hose assemblies. This action also would

add airplanes to the applicability of the

existing AD.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

152–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

AI(R) American Support , Inc., 13850

Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia

20171. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall

identify the Rules Docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule.

The proposals contained in this notice

may be changed in light of the

comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 98–NM–152–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

98–NM–152–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

On July 9, 1997, the FAA issued AD

97–15–05, amendment 39–10078 (62 FR

38015, July 16, 1997), applicable to

certain British Aerospace (Jetstream)

Model 4101 airplanes, to require an

inspection to determine the data on the

label of certain hose assemblies, and

replacement of all hose assemblies from

any discrepant batch with certain new

hose assemblies. That action was

prompted by a report of the failure of a

hose assembly in the fire extinguisher

system of the engine nacelle on several

in-service airplanes. Investigation

revealed that the cause of such a failure

was attributed to cracks in the swaged

ferrule that attaches the hose to the end

fitting. These cracks were apparently

caused during the manufacture of two

batches of hose assemblies. The labels of

the failed hoses specified the following

information: British Aerospace Regional

Aircraft (BARA) part number 14191001–

56 Issue F, the hose manufacturer

(ICORE) part number YA006769 Issue 2,

and batch number 9308–W038912 or

batch number 9311–W040935. The

requirements of that AD are intended to

ensure that all hoses from the two

discrepant batches are replaced.

Discrepant hose assemblies could fail

and consequently prevent the proper

distribution of fire extinguishing agent

within the engine nacelle in the event

of a fire.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since issuance of that AD, the FAA

has received another report of failure of

a hose assembly in the fire extinguisher

system of the engine nacelle on an inservice airplane. Although the label of

that discrepant hose specified an ICORE

part number and batch number identical

to those of the previously described

discrepant hoses, the BARA part

number was specified as 14191001–56

Issue 3. Further investigation has

revealed that BARA part number

14191001–56 may have any alpha or

numeric Issue identifier.

Therefore, the inspection required by

AD 97–15–05 may have failed to
37794 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 134 /Tuesday, July 14, 1998 / Proposed Rules

identify all hose assemblies

manufactured in the discrepant batches.

In light of this, the FAA has determined

that it is necessary to repeat the

inspection required by AD 97–15–05

and look for different data on the labels

of the hose assemblies.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A26–007, Revision 1, dated May 21,

1997. The inspection and replacement

procedures described in this alert

service bulletin are essentially identical

to those described in the original issue

of the alert service bulletin, dated

December 13, 1996 (which was

referenced in AD 97–15–05 as the

appropriate source of service

information). However, Revision 1 of

the alert service bulletin clarifies the

data on the label of the discrepant

batches of hose assemblies to enable

operators to correctly identify the

discrepant parts. In addition, this

revision to the alert service bulletin

adds four airplanes that also are subject

to the addressed unsafe condition.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the alert service bulletin is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition. The Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom, classified this alert service

bulletin as mandatory in order to assure

the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in the United Kingdom.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in the United Kingdom and is 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 Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom, has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above. The FAA

has examined the findings of the CAA,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, the proposed AD would

supersede AD 97–15–05 to require a

one-time inspection to determine the

data on the label of certain hose

assemblies, and replacement of all hose

assemblies from any discrepant batch

with certain new hose assemblies. The

proposed AD also would add airplanes

to the applicability of the existing AD.

The actions would be required to be

accomplished in accordance with the

alert service bulletin described

previously.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 57 airplanes

of U.S. registry that would be affected

by this proposed AD.

The new inspection that is proposed

in this AD would take 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 proposed by

this AD on U.S. operators is estimated

to be $3,420, or $60 per airplane.

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 proposed herein

would 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

proposal would not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this proposed regulation (1)

is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’

under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not

a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the 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 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing amendment 39–10078 (62 FR

38015, July 16, 1997), and by adding a

new airworthiness directive (AD), to

read as follows:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft

[Formerly Jetstream Aircraft Limited;

British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft)

Limited]: Docket 98–NM–152–AD.

Supersedes AD 97–15–05, Amendment

39–10078.

Applicability: Model Jetstream 4101

airplanes, constructors numbers 41004

through 41100 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

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 (b) 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 failure of hose assemblies,

which could prevent the proper distribution

of fire extinguishing agent within the engine

nacelle in the event of a fire, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date

of this AD, perform a one-time detailed

visual inspection to determine the data on

the label of the two hose assemblies having

part number 14191001–56, in accordance

with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A26–007, Revision 1, dated May 21, 1997.

(1) If the data on any hose assembly are not

identical to the data shown on either Label

1 or Label 2 of Figure 2 of the

Accomplishment Instructions of the alert

service bulletin, no further action is required

by this AD.

(2) If the data on any hose assembly are

identical to the data shown on either Label

1 or Label 2 of Figure 2 of the

Accomplishment Instructions of the alert

service bulletin, prior to the accumulation of
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 134 /Tuesday, July 14, 1998 / Proposed Rules 37795

60 flight hours following accomplishment of

the inspection required by paragraph (a) of

this AD, replace the hose assembly with a

new hose assembly that has different data on

the identification label, in accordance with

the alert service bulletin.

(b) 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.

(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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18646 Filed 7–13–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–144–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model

SAAB 2000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series

airplanes. This proposal would require

replacing the radio tuning units (RTU’s)

and associated components with new,

improved parts. This proposal is

prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent NAV/COM

radios from simultaneously changing

tuned frequencies and transponder

codes due to a black screen failure or

‘‘blanking’’ of an RTU, which could

result in loss of communications

capability and air traffic control data.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

144–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft

Product Support, S–581.88, Link

 ̈ping,

Sweden. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall

identify the Rules Docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained

in this notice may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 97–NM–144–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

97–NM–144–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is

the airworthiness authority for Sweden,

notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain Saab

Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. The

LFV advises that, in the event of a

‘‘blanking’’ (black screen) failure of a

single radio tuning unit (RTU), the

NAV/COM radios may change tuned

radio frequencies and transponder

codes. Such frequency and transponder

code changes may occur on both left

and right NAV/COM radios

simultaneously. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in loss of

communications capability and air

traffic control data.

The manufacturer of the RTU’s

reported that this ‘‘blanking’’ failure of

an RTU is a design problem that was

discovered during an investigation of a

service difficulty on another airplane

model. The RTU’s installed on certain

Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes

are the same type as those on the other

airplane model. Therefore, Saab Model

SAAB 2000 series airplanes may be

subject to the same unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued Saab

Service Bulletin 2000–23–017, dated

March 10, 1997, which describes

procedures for replacing existing RTU’s

and associated components with new,

improved parts. The improved RTU’s

are not susceptible to frequency or

transponder code changes due to a

‘‘blanking’’ failure. Accomplishment of

the actions specified in the service

bulletin is intended to adequately

address the identified unsafe condition.

The LFV classified this service bulletin

as mandatory and issued Swedish

airworthiness directive SAD 1–109,

dated March 12, 1997, in order to assure

the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in Sweden.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in Sweden and is 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 LFV has kept the FAA informed of