Document ID: FAA-2014-1093-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-12-31T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78726-78729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30631]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 78726]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1093; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-06-03. This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to 
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as stress corrosion cracking of the 
main landing gear spigot housing. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 17, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
phone: +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1093; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
taylor.martin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-1093; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On March 14, 2014, we issued AD 2014-06-03, Amendment 39-17807 (79 
FR 17395; March 28, 2014) (``AD 2014-06-03''). That AD required actions 
intended to address an unsafe condition on British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes 
and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority of another country.
    Since we issued AD 2014-06-03, corrosion was found on an airplane 
at the top outer edge of the forward spigot housing and extended along 
the top of the spigot housing. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited issued 
new service information to ensure the spigot cap is positioned 
correctly and to include inspection instructions for movement of the 
special washer and instructions for addressing any corrosion that may 
be found.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No. 2014-0239, dated November 3, 2014 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

Several cases of stress corrosion cracking of DTD 5094 standard Main 
Landing Gear (MLG) cylinders have been reported on Jetstream Series 
3200 and 3100 aeroplanes.
Prompted by these findings, The United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation 
Authority (CAA) issued AD 003-01-86 to require visual and non-
destructive testing (NDT) inspections of the MLG assembly cylinder 
attachment spigot housing in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd SB 32-A-JA851226. In 2012 an additional occurrence 
of Jetstream 3100 MLG failure after landing was reported, the 
subsequent investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of the 
yoke pintle housing as a root cause of the MLG failure. Consequently 
EASA issued EASA AD 2013-0208 to require inspection of the MLG in 
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-A-JA851226 
Revision 5 or later approved revisions to detect any crack, however, 
SB 32-A-JA851226 did not apply to aeroplanes

[[Page 78727]]

equipped with MLG cylinders manufactured from L161 material, since 
that is not susceptible to stress corrosion, BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 to address degradation of the 
surface protection by placing a special washer over the forward face 
of the MLG spigot housing, which rotates with the spigot housing. 
EASA issued AD 2013-0206 to require modification of the left (LH) 
and right hand (RH) MLG in accordance with this SB.
In 2014 a further event was reported, where the LH MLG of a 
Jetstream 3100 aeroplane collapsed during landing, this resulted in 
the aeroplane departing from the runway. The accident is still under 
investigation by the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch. 
Preliminary results of the investigation determined that cracking, 
which caused the MLG collapse, was initiated from a corrosion pit at 
the top outer edge of the forward spigot housing and extended along 
the top of the spigot housing. The spigot housing material was DTD 
5094. The affected LH MLG had been modified in accordance with BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 Revision 1. Further 
investigation discovered that the instructions provided in BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 Revision 1 did not effectively 
prevent stress corrosion cracking because, under certain 
circumstances, it allows the rotation of the special washer and 
consequent damage of the end face of the spigot housing.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural failure 
of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane 
during take-off or landing runs.
To address this potential unsafe condition, BAE Systems (Operations) 
Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 Revision 2 to clarify the orientation of the 
spigot bearing cap, later revised to SB 32-JM7862 Revision 3 to 
ensure the spigot bearing cap is correctly positioned. Additionally, 
BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-A-JA140940 to provide 
inspection instructions to detect migration of the special washer 
and any potential corrosion resulting from that unwanted migration 
for MLG installations modified earlier in accordance with BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 up to Revision 2.

For the reasons described above, this AD partially retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0206, which is superseded, and requires 
a one-time inspection of pre-SB 32-JM7862 Revision 3 MLG 
installations and, depending on findings, applicable corrective 
action(s).

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1093.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace Regional Aircraft has issued British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin No. 32-JM7862, Revision 
3, dated October 3, 2014; and British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 
and 3200 Service Bulletin No. 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated 
October 3, 2014. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 44 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $170 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $14,960, or $340 per product.
    We accept modification of the MLG, if done before the effective 
date of this proposed AD, using earlier versions of the service 
information. However, the earlier versions of the service information 
require additional inspections with possible corrective actions.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions that 
may be required if using an earlier version of the service information 
would take about 1 work-hour to inspect for special washer migration 
and corrosion damage and require parts costing $100 for replacement of 
the special washer and application of witness paint, if necessary, for 
a cost of $185 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17806 (79 FR 
17395; March 28, 2014), and adding the following new AD:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2014-1093; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD.

[[Page 78728]]

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 17, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-06-03, Amendment 39-17806 (79 FR 
17395; March 28, 2014).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream 
Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as stress corrosion 
cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) spigot housing. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent corrosion cracking of the MLG spigot 
housing. This condition, if not corrected, could cause structural 
failure of the MLG resulting in loss of control of the airplane 
during take-off or landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(11), including all subparagraphs, as applicable.
    (1) At the next scheduled MLG removal, modify the installation 
of the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) MLG at the forward spigot 
following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service 
Bulletin No. 32-JM7862, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2014.

    Note to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD:  The next scheduled MLG 
removal may be for non-destructive testing or overhaul, as 
applicable.

    (2) If done before the effective date of this AD, we will accept 
modification of the LH or RG MLG following British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin SB 32-JM7862, Revision 
2, dated June 13, 2014; or British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 
3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013, for 
compliance with paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes that, before the effective date of this AD, 
have been modified following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 
& 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 2, dated June 13, 2014, 
visually inspect the LH and RH MLG to detect migration of a special 
washer following the instructions in Part 1 of British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, 
Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014, at the compliance time listed 
in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) For MLG configuration equipped with DTD5094 cylinder: Within 
the next 200 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or 
within the next 2 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For MLG configuration equipped with L161 cylinder: Within 
the next 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or 
within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.
    (4) If evidence of migration of the special washer was detected 
during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, 
within the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph 
(f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, do the corrective actions on the 
LH or RH MLG, as applicable, following Part 2 of British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, 
Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
    (5) If no evidence of migration of the special washer was 
detected during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(3) of this 
AD, before further flight, apply a witness paint over the special 
washer tab and onto the MLG spigot housing (LH and RH MLG) following 
Part 1 of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
    (6) For airplanes that, before the effective date of this AD, 
have been modified following British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 
& 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013, do 
all of the actions on the MLG cylinder (LH and/or RH, as applicable) 
following the instructions in Part 2 of British Aerospace Jetstream 
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, 
dated October 3, 2014, at the compliance time listed in paragraph 
(f)(6)(i) or (f)(6)(ii), as applicable.
    (i) For MLG configuration equipped with DTD5094 cylinder: Within 
the next 200 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or 
within the next 2 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For MLG configuration equipped with L161 cylinder: Within 
the next 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or 
within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.
    (7) If any wear, corrosion, or damage is detected during the 
inspection required in either paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(6), as 
applicable, of this AD, before further flight, do all of the 
corrective actions (including application of the a witness paint) 
following the instructions in Part 2 of British Aerospace Jetstream 
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, 
dated October 3, 2014.
    (8) Between 30 and 45 days after doing the action required in 
either paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(6) of this AD or between the next 20 
to 30 flight cycles after doing the action required in either 
paragraph (f)(3) or (f)(6) of this AD, whichever occurs first, 
inspect the witness paint applied as required in either paragraph 
(f)(5) or (f)(7) of this AD following the instructions in Part 3 of 
British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-
A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
    (9) If any damaged paint is detected during the inspection 
required in paragraph (f)(8) of this AD, before further flight, 
contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft to obtain FAA-approved 
repair instructions approved specifically for this AD and 
incorporate those instructions. You may find the contact information 
for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (10) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a LH or 
RH MLG on any of the applicable airplanes unless it has passed all 
of the inspections required by this AD.
    (11) For all airplanes: The compliance times for paragraphs 
(f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), (f)(6)(i), (f)(6)(ii), and (f)(8) of this AD 
are presented in flight cycles (landings). If the total flight 
cycles have not been kept, multiply the total number of airplane 
hours time-in-service (TIS) by 0.75 to calculate the cycles. You may 
use the following as an example for this AD:
    (i) 200 hours TIS x .75 = 150 cycles; or
    (ii) 600 hours TIS x .75 = 450 cycles.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
taylor.martin@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, 
AD No. 2014-0239, dated November 3, 2014; and British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin SB 32-JA851226, 
Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013; British Aerospace Jetstream and 
British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-
JM7862, Revision 1, dated May 7, 2013, for related information. You 
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1093. For service 
information related to this AD, contact BAE Systems (Operations) 
Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick International 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; phone: +44 
1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet: http://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

[[Page 78729]]

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 2014.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-30631 Filed 12-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P