[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2493-2495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-518]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-14-AD; Amendment 39-9119; AD 95-01-08]


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly 
British Aerospace, Regional Airlines Limited) HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream 
Series 200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes AD 81-09-03 R1, which currently 
requires repetitively inspecting the rudder pedal adjusting mounting 
bracket for cracks on Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) HP137 Mk1 and 
Jetstream Series 200 airplanes, and replacing any cracked bracket. The 
Federal Aviation Administration's policy on aging commuter-class 
aircraft is to eliminate, or in certain instances, reduce the number of 
repetitions of certain short-interval inspections when improved parts 
or modifications are available. This action requires replacing the 
mounting bracket with a new mounting bracket of improved design as 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections that are currently 
required by AD 81-09-03 R1. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent inadvertent rudder movement caused by a cracked 
rudder pedal adjusting bracket, which, if not detected and corrected, 
could result in loss of rudder control.

[[Page 2494]] DATES: Effective February 20, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

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: 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 HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream 200 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on October 13, 1994 (59 FR 51877). 
The action proposed superseding AD 81-09-03 R1 with a new AD that would 
(1) retain the inspections of the rudder pedal adjusting mounting 
bracket for cracks and require replacing any cracked part as required 
by the current AD; and (2) require replacing this mounting bracket with 
an improved part of increased sectional dimension, P/N 1379111E 1, as 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The proposed 
inspection would be accomplished in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin No. 9/10, dated April 28, 1981. The proposed replacement would 
be accomplished in accordance with the Instructions to Modification No. 
5162, Part 1 and Part 2, Issue 1, dated June 1981.
    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.
    After careful review of all available information, the FAA has 
determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption 
of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA 
has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning 
of the AD nor add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed.
    This action is based on the FAA's aging commuter-class aircraft 
policy. This policy simply states that airplane owners/operators should 
incorporate a known design change when it could eliminate, or, in 
certain instances, reduce the number of critical repetitive 
inspections.
    The FAA estimates that 11 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 160 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,800 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $116,600.
    All 11 of the affected airplanes are HP137 Mk1's; there are no 
Jetstream series 200 airplanes registered in the United States, but 
they are type certificated for operation in the United States. 
According to FAA records, none of these HP137 Mk1 airplanes are in 
operation or anywhere near operating condition. For this reason, JAL no 
longer stocks Modification No. 5162, but can develop modification kits 
within three months after order. Since there are no airplanes currently 
in operation, the cost impact of this AD is narrowed to only those 
owners/operators returning their airplane to operation.
    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 copy of the final 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, 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 81-09-03 R1, Amendment 
39-4150, and by adding a new AD to read as follows:


95-01-08 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9119; Docket No. 
94-CE-14-AD. Supersedes AD 81-09-03 R1, Amendment 39-4150.

    Applicability: HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream Series 200 airplanes (all 
serial numbers), certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent inadvertent rudder movement caused by a cracked 
rudder pedal adjusting mounting bracket, which could result in loss 
of rudder control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished (compliance 
with AD 81-09-03 R1), inspect the rudder pedal adjusting mounting 
bracket for cracks in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. 9/10, dated April 28, 1981.
    (1) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
mounting bracket with an improved part of increased sectional 
dimension, part number (P/N) 1379111E 1, in accordance with the 
Instructions to Modification No. 5162, Part 1 and Part 2, Issue 1, 
dated June 1981. This replacement is referenced as Modification No. 
5162.
    (2) If no cracks are found, reinspect at intervals not to exceed 
100 hours TIS until Modification No. 5162 is incorporated.
    (b) Upon the accumulation of 15,000 hours TIS or within the next 
200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, replace the rudder pedal adjusting mounting bracket with an 
improved part of [[Page 2495]] increased sectional dimension, P/N 
1379111E 1 (Modification No. 5162), in accordance with the 
Instructions to Modification No. 5162, Part 1 and Part 2, Issue 1, 
dated June 1981.
    (c) Incorporating Modification 5162 as specified in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (b) of this AD eliminates the repetitive inspection 
requirement of this AD.
    (d) 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.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial and repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA, 
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.

    (f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 9/10, dated April 28, 
1981. The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Instructions to Modification No. 5162, Part 1 and 
Part 2, Issue 1, dated June 1981. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW Scotland; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., 
Librarian, P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, 
DC 20041-6029. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment (39-9119) becomes effective on February 20, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-518 Filed 1-9-95; 8:45 am]
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