[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30505-30507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15141]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-9670; AD 96-13-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited (Formerly 
British Aerospace, Regional Airlines Limited) Jetstream Model 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 certain Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes. This action requires repetitively inspecting the spigot 
housing plate for cracks and corrosion at the wing/fuselage forward 
attachment sliding joint, replacing any cracked or corroded part, and 
eventually replacing the spigots and spigot housing plate with new 
parts of improved design. A crack in the spigot housing plate assembly 
found during fatigue testing of the affected airplanes prompted this 
action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
structural failure of the wing/fuselage area caused by a cracked or 
corroded spigot housing assembly.

DATES: Effective August 7, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 7, 1996.


[[Page 30506]]


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 93-CE-
34-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 certain JAL Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 
19, 1995 (60 FR 48429). The action proposed to require repetitively 
inspecting the spigot housing plate for cracks and corrosion at the 
wing/fuselage forward attachment sliding joint, replacing any cracked 
or corroded part, and eventually replacing the spigots and spigot 
housing plate with new parts of improved design. Accomplishment of the 
proposed actions would be in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 
No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994.
    A crack in the spigot housing plate assembly found during fatigue 
testing of the affected airplanes prompted this action.
    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 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 120 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 23 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the initial inspection and modification, and 
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. JAL will 
provide parts at no cost to the owner/operator. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$165,600 or $1,380 per airplane. This figure is based on the assumption 
that none of the affected airplanes have the required modification 
incorporated and does not take into account the cost of repetitive 
inspections. The FAA has no way of determining how many repetitive 
inspections each owner/operator will incur over the life of the 
airplane.
    Jetstream Aircraft Limited has informed the FAA that parts have 
been distributed to equip approximately 30 airplanes (approximately 25 
percent of the fleet in the U.S. registry). Assuming that each set of 
parts is installed on an affected Jetstream Model 3201 airplane, the 
cost impact of this AD upon U.S. operators is reduced $41,400 from 
$165,600 to $124,200.

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 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:

96-13-02  Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9670; Docket No. 
93-CE-34-AD.

    Applicability: Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes (serial numbers 
790 through 960), 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 as indicated after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent structural failure of the wing/fuselage area caused 
by a cracked spigot housing assembly, accomplish the following:
    (a) Upon the accumulation of 7,200 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
or within the next 500 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, inspect the spigot housing plate at the 
wing/fuselage forward attachment sliding joint for corrosion or 
cracks. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Part 1 of the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994; or 
Jetstream SB No. 57-JA 921144, Original Issue, dated March 4, 1993.
    (1) If any corrosion or cracks are found, prior to further 
flight, modify the spigot and spigot housing plate in accordance 
with

[[Page 30507]]

either Part 2 or Part 3, as applicable, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream SB No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, 
dated April 19, 1994. -
    (2) If no corrosion or cracks are found, within the next 3,000 
hours TIS after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, 
modify the spigot and spigot housing plate in accordance with either 
Part 2 or Part 3, as applicable, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of Jetstream SB No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 
19, 1994.
    (3) Jetstream No. SB 57-JA 921144, Original Issue, dated March 
4, 1993, is not applicable to this modification and shall not be 
utilized to accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (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 
initial or 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, 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 inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 57-JA 921144, 
Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994; or Jetstream Service Bulletin No. 
57-JA 921144, Original Issue, dated March 4, 1993. The modification 
required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Jetstream 
Service Bulletin No. 57-JA 921144, Revision 1, dated April 19, 1994. 
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 (39-9670) becomes effective on August 7, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 10, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15141 Filed 6-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U