[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9304-9306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4003]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-189-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 
airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection to determine if a 
travel stop (screw) is installed at the flight control assembly, and 
various follow-on actions. This proposal is prompted by a report of 
failure of the travel stop, which allowed the elevator and aileron 
disconnect handles to rotate within the housing due to migration of the 
travel stop from its position. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent such migration, which could result in the 
elevator and aileron disconnect system resetting without the use of the 
reset button; this condition could lead to jamming of the disconnect 
handles.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-189-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 Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles 
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may 
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Grober, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, [[Page 9305]] Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone (206) 227-1187; fax (206) 227-1320.

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 94-NM-189-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-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-189-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes. 
The CAA advises that a report has been received indicating that a 
screw, which is used as the travel stop in both the elevator and 
aileron disconnect handles, had migrated out of their position. This 
allowed the elevator and aileron disconnect control handles to rotate 
within its housing. Such rotation bypassed the operation of the ratchet 
assembly and allowed the elevator and aileron disconnect system to 
reset without the use of the reset button. The cause of this migration 
is unknown at this time; normally, the travel stop screws are retained 
against vibration (which could cause them to become loose) by means of 
a screw locking insert. Migration of the travel stop, if not corrected, 
could result in the elevator and aileron disconnect system resetting 
without the use of the reset button; this condition could lead to 
jamming of the disconnect handles.
    Jetstream has issued Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated September 
2, 1994, which describes procedures for:
    1. Performing an inspection to determine if a travel stop (screw) 
is installed at the flight control assembly;
    2. Installing a new travel stop, if no travel stop is found 
installed;
    3. Performing a rotation to determine the security of the travel 
stop, if a travel stop is installed;
    4. Performing an inspection to detect damage, if the travel stop is 
found to be loose; and replacing the travel stop with a new travel 
stop, if damage is found;
    5. Applying Loctite Superfast 290 to the travel stop;
    6. Permanently marking the flight control assembly; and
    7. Performing a functional test of the aileron and elevator 
disconnect systems and setting them to the locked position.
    The service bulletin also describes procedures for an optional 
installation of a protective spiral wrap cover. The CAA classified the 
service bulletin as mandatory.
    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 CAA 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.
    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 require an inspection to 
determine if a travel stop (screw) is installed at the flight control 
assembly, and various follow-on actions. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,360, or $240 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89. [[Page 9306]] 


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket 94-NM-189-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, constructors numbers 41004 
through 41039 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent jamming of the elevator and aileron disconnect 
handles, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, perform an inspection to determine if a travel stop 
(screw) is installed at the flight control assembly, in accordance 
with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated September 2, 1994.
    (1) If no travel stop is found to be installed, prior to further 
flight, install a new travel stop in accordance with the service 
bulletin. After installation, accomplish paragraph (a)(2) of this 
AD.
    (2) If such a travel stop is installed, prior to further flight, 
perform a rotation to determine the security of the travel stop, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If the travel stop is found to be properly secured, no 
further action is required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (ii) If the travel stop is found to be loose, prior to further 
flight, remove it and perform an inspection to detect damage in 
accordance with the service bulletin. If any damage is found, 
replace the travel stop with a new travel stop, in accordance with 
the service bulletin. After replacement, repeat the requirements of 
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.
    (b) After accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to 
further flight, accomplish paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of 
this AD, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-036, 
dated September 2, 1994.
    (1) Apply Loctite Superfast 290 to the travel stop;
    (2) Permanently mark the flight control assembly; and
    (3) Perform a functional test of the aileron and elevator 
disconnect systems and set them to the locked position.

    Note 2: Procedures for installing a protective spiral wrap cover 
are contained in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated 
September 2, 1994. This installation is recommended, but is not 
required by this AD.

    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 13, 1995.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4003 Filed 2-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U