[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24883-24884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12496]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-18-AD; Amendment 39-9626; AD 96-11-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited; Jetstream 
Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Jetstream Models 3101 and 
3201 airplanes. This action requires modifying the automatic airframe 
de-ice system to allow the wing and tail de-ice boots to automatically 
operate through one cycle. The present system repeats the wing de-ice 
boot inflation cycle before starting to inflate the tail de-ice boots. 
Reports of ice accumulating on the tail faster than the automatic tail 
de-ice boots inflate on the affected airplanes prompted this action. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive ice 
accretion on the tail or wings of the affected airplanes, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 2, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 2, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Prestwick International 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, D.C. 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, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-
18-AD, 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: Ms. Dorenda Baker, Program Manager, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(32 2) 508.2715; facsimile (32 2) 230.6899; or Mr. Jeffrey Morfitt, 
Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64105; 
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to JAL Jetstream Models 
3101 and 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
February 21, 1996 (61 FR 6583). The action proposed to require 
modifying the automatic airframe de-ice system to allow the wing and 
tail de-ice boot systems to automatically operate through one cycle. 
Accomplishment of the proposed modification would be in accordance with 
Jetstream Service Bulletin 30-JK 12033, Revision No. 1, dated October 
20, 1995.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the one comment received.

Comment Resolution

    The commenter supports the proposal, but recommends that the final 
rule not become effective until after May 1, 1996. The commenter 
explains that this is necessary to ensure parts delivery and subsequent 
scheduling of the modification within the compliance time. The issuance 
of this AD is well after May 1, 1996, and the subsequent effective date 
of the final rule gives this commenter ample time to accomplish the 
modification.
    No comments were received regarding the FAA's determination of the 
cost impact on the public.
    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, 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 and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 260 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $50 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $91,000. This figure is based on the 
assumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has 
accomplished the required modification.
    Jetstream has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to 
owners/operators to equip approximately 22 of the affected airplanes. 
Assuming that each set of parts is installed on an affected airplane, 
the cost impact of this AD upon U.S. owners/operators of the affected 
airplanes is reduced $7,700 from $91,000 to $83,300.

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 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

[[Page 24884]]

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-11-01  Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9626; Docket No. 
95-CE-18-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (all 
serial numbers), 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 within the next 1,000 hours time- in-
service after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent excessive ice accretion on the tail or wings of the 
affected airplanes, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the automatic airframe de-ice system in accordance 
with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service 
Bulletin No. 30-JK 12033, Revision No. 1, dated October 20, 1995.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels ACO.

    (d) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 30-JK 12033, Revision 
No. 1, dated October 20, 1995. 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9626) becomes effective on July 2, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 10, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12496 Filed 5-16-96; 8:45 am]
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