[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28498-28500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13797]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-133-AD; Amendment 39-9643; AD 96-12-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the flexible cables of the power and condition controls 
of the engines with new flexible cables. This amendment also requires 
installation of protective tape on the outside case of these flexible 
cables, and reidentification of the cables. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of stiff operation of the power and condition controls of 
the engines due to heat damage to and moisture contamination of the 
flexible cable. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent heat damage and moisture contamination to the flexible cable, 
which could result in stiff operation of the power and condition 
controls and subsequent reduced engine control.

DATES: Effective July 10, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 1995 
(60 FR 65258). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
flexible cables of power and condition controls of the engines with new 
flexible cables. The action also proposed to require installation of 
protective tape on the outside case of the new flexible cables of the 
power and condition controls of the engines, and reidentification of 
the assembly number of the cable.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request to Provide Additional Terminating Action

    One commenter requests that the FAA revise the proposal to require 
the accomplishment of the actions described in Jetstream Service 
Bulletin J41-76-013 () (Modification JM41485A), as interim action only. 
The commenter states that the flexible cables associated with the 
proposed action have a life limit of 6,000 hours time-in-service, and 
have not demonstrated reliability warranting an escalation of this 
limit. Instead, the commenter requests that the proposal be revised to 
include a

[[Page 28499]]

requirement to accomplish the actions described in Jetstream Service 
Bulletin SB J41-76-014 () (Modification JM41478), as the terminating 
action. The new improved flexible cable, which is associated with 
Modification JM41478, holds the promise of eventually qualifying for an 
escalation of its life limit to 12,000 hours time-in-service.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to revise the 
AD. The FAA has determined that accomplishment of the procedures 
specified in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-76-013, as proposed, 
adequately addresses the identified unsafe condition by preventing heat 
damage and moisture contamination to the flexible cables.
    The FAA recognizes that some operators previously may have elected 
to accomplish Modification JM41478, which the FAA considers to address 
the identified unsafe condition adequately as well. However, the FAA 
points out that this AD is applicable only to Model 4101 airplanes on 
which Modification JM41478 or JM41485A has not been installed. 
Therefore, those airplanes are not subject to the requirements of this 
AD.

Request to Require Marking of Part Numbers

    This commenter also requests that the FAA revise the proposal to 
require marking part numbers on the two types of engine control cables 
(Modifications JM414485A and JM41478) after installation of the cables. 
The commenter states that routing during installation of the cables 
requires removal of all identification bands, making verification in 
the absence of good recordkeeping virtually impossible.
    The FAA does not consider a revision to be necessary. The FAA 
points out that paragraph (a)(2) of the final rule already requires 
reidentification of the assembly number of the cable. Since this AD 
does not require Modification JM41478, as stated previously, the FAA 
finds that including a requirement for such a marking need not be 
specified in this final rule.

Request to Revise Cost Impact Information

    This same commenter asserts that the cost estimate presented in the 
preamble of the proposal was incorrect. The commenter notes that the 
FAA estimates that 25 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by 
this proposed AD; however, the commenter states that it currently 
operates 25 airplanes of U.S. registry, and knows that there are 
additional U.S. operators.
    In addition, the commenter states that the required modification 
would necessitate 39 work hours, rather than the 11 work hours 
specified in the proposal.
    After considering the data presented by the commenter, the FAA 
concurs that the number of U.S.-registered airplanes affected by the 
AD, and the number of necessary work hours, are higher than 
approximated previously. The FAA has revised the cost impact 
information, below, accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule, with the changes to the cost 
impact information described previously. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither significantly increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 39 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $102,960, or 
$2,340 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

96-12-01 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9643. Docket 95-
NM-133-AD.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes on which Jetstream 
Modification JM41478 or JM41485A has not been installed, 
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 (b) 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, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent heat damage and moisture contamination to the 
flexible cable, which could result in stiff operation of the power 
and condition controls and subsequent reduced engine control, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
AD, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-76-013, dated 
May 5, 1995. Both requirements must be accomplished at the same 
time.
    (1) Replace the flexible cables of power and condition controls 
of the left and right

[[Page 28500]]

engines with new flexible cables, in accordance with paragraphs 2.B. 
and 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin; 
and
    (2) Install protective tape on the outside case of the new 
flexible cables of the power and condition controls of the left and 
right engines; and reidentify the assembly number of the cable; in 
accordance with paragraph 2.D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin.
    (b) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The replacement, installation, and reidentification shall be 
done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-76-013, dated 
May 5, 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, 
Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 
20041-6029. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 10, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 28, 1996.
Bill R. Boxwell,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-13797 Filed 6-4-96; 8:45 am]
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