[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55230-55233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18519]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21087; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-019-AD; 
Amendment 39-14280; AD 2005-19-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes. That AD currently requires operators to determine 
the number of flight cycles accumulated on each component of the main 
landing gear (MLG) and the nose landing gear (NLG), and to replace each 
component that reaches its life limit with a serviceable component. The 
existing AD also requires operators to revise the Airworthiness 
Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness in the aircraft maintenance manual to reflect the new 
life limits. This new AD requires revising the ALS to incorporate 
extended and more restrictive life limits for structurally significant 
items. This AD is prompted by engineering analysis of fleet operations 
which resulted in more restrictive life limits. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of certain structurally significant items, including 
the MLG and the NLG, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 26, 2005.

[[Page 55231]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 26, 
2005.
    On August 3, 2004 (69 FR 38816, June 29, 2004), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-05-001, Revision 2, dated 
March 15, 2002; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-
05-001, Revision 3, dated January 9, 2004; and BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-078, dated April 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen 
Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-21087; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2005-NM-019-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an AD to supersede 
AD 2004-13-07, amendment 39-13689 (69 FR 38816, June 29, 2004). The 
existing AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) 
Model 4101 airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal 
Register on May 2, 2005 (70 FR 22615), to continue to require operators 
to determine the number of flight cycles accumulated on each component 
of the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG), and to 
replace each component that reaches its life limit with a serviceable 
component. That action also proposed to require operators to revise the 
Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness in the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) to 
incorporate extended and more restrictive life limits for structurally 
significant items.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been 
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed AD.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify 
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate 
data sheet for the affected models.

Explanation of Editorial Changes

    We have corrected the date of Revision 3 of BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-05-001 in paragraph (f) of 
this AD, and the British airworthiness directive reference in paragraph 
(n) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that has been received, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 57 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    For the actions that are required by AD 2004-13-07, and retained in 
this AD, it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish the required determination of the number of flight cycles, 
and 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required revision of the 
AMM. The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the currently required actions for U.S. 
operators is $7,410, or $130 per airplane.
    The new revision of the AMM will take about 1 work hour per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the new AMM revision specified in this 
AD for U.S. operators is $3,705, or $65 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing amendment 39-13689 (69 FR 
38816, June 29, 2004) and by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):


[[Page 55232]]


2005-19-15 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14280. Docket No. FAA-
2005-21087; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-019-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 26, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-13-07.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (m) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular 
(AC) 25-1529.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by engineering analysis of fleet 
operations which resulted in more restrictive life limits. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain structurally 
significant items, including the main landing gear and the nose 
landing gear, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2004-13-07

Determine Flight Cycles for Components

    (f) Within 90 days after August 3, 2004 (the effective date of 
AD 2004-13-07): Determine the number of flight cycles accumulated on 
each landing gear component listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin J41-32-078, dated April 12, 2002. If there are no 
records or incomplete records for any component, establish the 
number of flight cycles in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin 
J41-05-001, Revision 2, dated March 15, 2002; or Revision 3, dated 
January 9, 2004.

    Note 2: BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-
32-078 refers to BAE Systems (Operations) J41 Service Information 
Leaflet 32-15, Issue 1, dated February 15, 2002, as an additional 
source of service information for establishing the life limits of 
landing gear components and for tracking the accumulated life of 
each component.

Replace Components

    (g) Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD, within 60 
days after establishing the flight cycles per paragraph (f) of this 
AD: Replace any landing gear component that has reached the life 
limit determined by paragraph (f) of this AD, with a serviceable 
component per a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA) (or its delegated agent). Doing the actions 
in chapter 32 of the Jetstream 4100 airplane maintenance manual 
(AMM) is one approved method. Thereafter, replace any component that 
reaches its life limit prior to the accumulation of the applicable 
number of flight cycles shown in Table 1 and Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin J41-32-078, dated April 12, 2002.
    (h) Any component for which the total accumulated life cycles 
has not been established, or that has exceeded its life limit, but 
has not yet been replaced per paragraph (g) of this AD, must be 
replaced within 72 months after August 3, 2004, in accordance with 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-078, dated 
April 12, 2002.

Revise AMM

    (i) Within 30 days after August 3, 2004: Revise the 
Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness of the Jetstream 4100 AMM to include the 
life limits of the components listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin J41-32-078, dated April 12, 2002. This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of the service bulletin into the 
ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness until such time 
as a revision is issued. Thereafter, except as provided in 
paragraphs (m) and (l) of this AD, no alternative replacement times 
may be approved for any affected component. Once the AMM revision 
required by paragraph (l) of this AD is accomplished, the AMM 
revision required by this paragraph must be removed from the AMM.

Parts Installation

    (j) As of August 3, 2004, no landing gear unit may be installed 
on any airplane unless the accumulated flight cycles of all 
components of that landing gear have been established per paragraph 
(f) of this AD, and any component that has exceeded its life limit 
has been replaced per paragraph (g) of this AD.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (k) Calculations of total accumulated flight cycles accomplished 
per BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-05-001, 
Revision 1, dated April 10, 2001; or BAE Systems (Operations) 
Limited Service Bulletin J41-05-001, Revision 2, dated March 15, 
2002; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding action specified in this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Revise AMM

    (l) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the BAE 
Systems (Operations) Limited J41 AMM to include the life limits of 
the components listed in Chapter 05-10-10, Airworthiness 
Limitations--Description and Operation Section, Revision 23, dated 
February 15, 2005, of the AMM. This may be accomplished by inserting 
a copy into the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. 
Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (m) of this AD, no 
alternative replacement times may be approved for any affected 
component. Once this AMM revision is included, the AMM revision 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD must be removed from the AMM.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance 
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (n) British airworthiness directive G-2005-0005, dated February 
3, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (o) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with the service information listed in Table 1 of 
this AD.

                                  Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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           Service Information                    Revision level                          Date
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BAE Systems (Operations) Limited J41       Revision 23................  February 15, 2005.
 Airplane Maintenance Manual.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service   Revision 2.................  March 15, 2002.
 Bulletin J41-05-001.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service   Revision 3.................  January 9, 2004.
 Bulletin J41-05-001.
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service   Original...................  April 12, 2002.
 Bulletin J41-32-078.
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[[Page 55233]]

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approves the 
incorporation by reference of Chapter 05-10-10 of the BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited J41 Airplane Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, 
dated February 15, 2005, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51.
    (2) On August 3, 2004 (69 FR 38816, June 29, 2004), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-05-001, 
Revision 2, dated March 15, 2002; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
Service Bulletin J41-05-001, Revision 3, dated January 9, 2004; and 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-32-078, dated 
April 12, 2002.
    (3) To get copies of the service information, contact British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20171. You may review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 9, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18519 Filed 9-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P