Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 7 / Monday, January 12, 1998 / Rules and Regulations 1737

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–127–AD; Amendment

39–10276; AD 97–11–02 R1]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment revises an

existing airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain British Aerospace

(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, that

currently requires an inspection to

determine the thickness of the

intercostal that attaches the third crew

member seat to the floor structure in the

flight compartment, and replacement, if

necessary. That action was prompted by

a report from the manufacturer

indicating that intercostals have been

installed that are not of sufficient

thickness (and consequent strength) to

support the third crew member seat

during emergency landing dynamic

conditions. The actions specified by that

AD are intended to prevent the failure

of this intercostal during an emergency

landing, which could consequently

result in injury to the flight crew. This

amendment revises the applicability of

the existing AD by removing several

airplanes.

DATES: Effective February 17, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications, as listed in the

regulations, is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of February

17, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-

A53–030, dated January 19, 1996, as

listed in the regulations, was approved

previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of July 2, 1997 (62 FR 28795,

May 28, 1997).

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from AI(R) American Support, Inc.,

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 revising AD 97–11–02, amendment

39–10031 (62 FR 28795, May 28, 1997),

which is applicable to certain British

Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101

airplanes, was published in the Federal

Register on October 14, 1997 (62 FR

53272). The action proposed to continue

to require a one-time inspection of the

intercostal of the third crew member

seat to the floor structure in the flight

compartment to determine the thickness

of this part, and replacement with a new

intercostal of the correct thickness, if

necessary. The action also proposed to

limit the applicability of the existing AD

by removing several airplanes.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. Due

consideration has been given to the two

comments received.

Both commenters support the

proposed rule.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available

data, including the comments noted

above, the FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

Since this AD merely deletes

airplanes from the applicability of the

existing AD, it adds no additional costs,

and requires no additional work to be

performed by affected operators. The

current costs associated with this AD

are reiterated in their entirety (as

follows) for the convenience of affected

operators:

The FAA estimates that 14 Jetstream

Model 4101 airplanes of U.S. registry

will be affected by this AD, that it will

take approximately 1 work hour per

airplane to accomplish the required

actions, and that the average labor rate

is $60 per work hour. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $840,

or $60 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed

above is based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the 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 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing amendment 39–10031 (62 FR

28795, May 28, 1997), and by adding a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

amendment 39–10276, to read as

follows:

97–11–02 R1 British Aerospace Regional

Aircraft [Formerly JetstreamAircraft

Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial

Aircraft) Limited]: Amendment 39–

10276. Docket 97–NM–127–AD. Revises

AD 97–11–02, Amendment 39–10031.

Applicability: Jetstream Model 4101

airplanes, as listed in Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–030, Revision 2, dated

February 14, 1997; certificated in any

category.
1738 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 7 / Monday, January 12, 1998 / Rules and Regulations

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 prevent failure during emergency

landing dynamic conditions of the intercostal

that attaches the third crew member seat

(‘‘third crew seat’’) to the floor structure in

the flight compartment, which could

consequently result in injury to the flight

crew, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after July 2, 1997 (the

effective date of AD 97–11–02, amendment

39–10031), inspect the intercostal in the floor

structure that supports the third crew seat in

the flight compartment to determine the

thickness of this part, in accordance with

Part 1 of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A53–030, dated January 19, 1996, Revision 1,

dated August 8, 1996, or Revision 2, dated

February 14, 1997.

(b) If the thickness of the intercostal is

0.064 inch, no further action is required by

this AD.

(c) If the thickness of the intercostal is

0.048 inch, accomplish the actions specified

in either paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD.

(1) Prior to further flight, replace the

intercostal with a new part manufactured

from material having the correct thickness, in

accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–030, dated January 19,

1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or

Revision 2, dated February 14, 1997. After

replacement, no further action is required by

this AD. Or

(2) Prior to further flight, install a placard,

in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–030, dated January 19,

1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or

Revision 2, dated February 14, 1997, to

prohibit use of the third crew seat when the

total weight of carry-on items stored in the

forward right stowage area is more than 100

pounds. Within 6 months after installation of

the placard, replace the intercostal with a

new part manufactured from material having

the correct thickness, in accordance with any

of the service bulletins. After installation of

the new intercostal, the placard may be

removed.

(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 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.

(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.

(f) The actions shall be done in accordance

with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A53–030, dated January 19, 1996; Jetstream

Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–030, Revision

1, dated August 8, 1996; and Jetstream Alert

Service Bulletin J41–A53–030, Revision 2,

dated February 14, 1997.

(1) The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

030, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996; and

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–A53–

030, Revision 2, dated February 14, 1997; is

approved by the Director of the Federal

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

and 1 CFR part 51. These Jetstream alert

service bulletins contain the following list of

effective pages:

Service bulletin referenced and date Page No.

Revision level

shown on

page

Date shown on page

J41–A53–030, Revision 1, August 8, 1996 ............................................................................. 1, 3 1 ................... August 8, 1996.

2, 4–7 Original ........ January 19, 1996.

J41–A53–030, Revision 2, February 14, 1997 ........................................................................ 1, 3 2 ................... February 14, 1997.

2, 4–7 Original ........ January 19, 1996.

(2) The incorporation by reference of

Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–53–

030, dated January 19, 1996, was

approved previously by the Director of

the Federal Register as of July 2, 1997

(62 FR 28795, May 28, 1997).

(3) Copies may be obtained from AI(R)

American Support, Inc., 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 006–01–96.

(g) This amendment becomes effective

on February 17, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on

December 30, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–208 Filed 1–9–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–NM–247–AD; Amendment

39–10282; AD 98–01–20]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A310 and A300–600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Airbus Model

A310 and A300–600 series airplanes.

This action requires a one-time

inspection of the attachment bolts and

washers for the forward cargo container

and pallet latches in the aft cargo

compartment to determine if bolts and

washers having the correct part numbers

are installed; and replacement of the

bolts and washers with parts having the

correct part numbers, if necessary. This

AD also requires revising the Airplane

Flight Manual and certain supplements

to specify certain cargo loading

procedures that must be used until the

inspection is accomplished. This

amendment is prompted by issuance of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions

specified in this AD are intended to

prevent cargo from shifting in flight, and

consequent structural damage and

reduced controllability of the airplane.