[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7920-7922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3360]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-CE-13-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly 
British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft Limited) Jetstream Models 3101 and 
3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
the comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to reopen the comment period of an 
earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), which would have 
proposed to require modifying the shear fitting at the top of each 
escape hatch on certain Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. A report of interference between the 
shear fitting on an escape hatch and a ceiling panel found while 
removing the escape hatch on one of the affected airplanes prompted the 
earlier proposal. Since publication of that proposal, the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) has re-examined various service 
difficulty reports on the affected airplanes, and 
[[Page 7921]] determined that the proposed modification is still a 
valid safety issue (but not an urgent safety of flight issue). Since 
sufficient time has passed (more than 12 months) since the issuance of 
the original proposal, the FAA is allowing additional time for the 
public to comment on this action. The proposed actions are intended to 
prevent the inability to utilize an escape hatch during an emergency 
situation because of interference.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 92-
CE-13-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW Scotland; telephone (44-292) 79888; 
facsimile (44-292) 79703; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. 
Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029; 
telephone (703) 406-1161; facsimile (703) 406-1469. This information 
also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Raymond A. Stoer, Program Officer, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(322) 513.3830; facsimile (322) 230.6899; or Mr. John P. Dow, Sr., 
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

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 should 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 that summarizes 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 No. 92-CE-13-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, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 92-CE-13-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain JAL Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
March 30, 1992 (57 FR 10743). The action proposed to require modifying 
the shear fitting at the top of each escape hatch in accordance with 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service Bulletin 
52-JM 7752, dated December 17, 1991.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    Since publication of the proposal, the FAA has re-examined various 
service difficulty reports on the affected airplanes, and determined 
that the proposed modification is still a valid safety issue, but is 
not considered an urgent safety of flight issue. Since sufficient time 
has passed (more than 12 months) since the issuance of the original 
proposal, the FAA is reopening the comment period to provide additional 
time for public comment.
    The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Rework of existing 
parts would cost approximately $165 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $41,400. This figure is based on the assumption that no 
affected owner/operator has accomplished the proposed modification. The 
FAA has no way of determining how many airplanes have incorporated this 
modification (reworked the existing parts), but anticipates that 
numerous operators have already reworked the existing parts. This would 
reduce the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators.
    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 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) 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 has been placed 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 7922]] 


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket No. 92-CE-13-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (serial 
numbers 757 through 912), certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent occupant injury during an emergency situation because 
of the inability to remove an escape hatch, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For both Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, modify the shear 
fitting at the top of the right-hand escape hatch in accordance with 
PART A of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream 
Service Bulletin (SB) 52-JM 7752, dated December 17, 1991.
    (b) For Model 3201 airplanes, modify the shear fitting at the 
top of the left-hand escape hatch in accordance with PART B of the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream SB 52-JM 7752, 
dated December 17, 1991.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American 
Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request should be forwarded 
through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels ACO.

    (e) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the documents referred to herein upon request to Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 
2RW Scotland; telephone (44-292) 79888; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., 
Librarian, P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, 
DC 20041-6029; or may examine these documents at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 1995.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-3360 Filed 2-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U