Document ID: FAA-2022-0285-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: British Aerospace (Operations) Limited and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes
Posted Date: 2022-06-08T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34765-34767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12182]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 110 / Wednesday, June 8, 2022 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 34765]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01448-A; 
Amendment 39-22066; AD 2022-11-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited 
and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model Jetstream Model 3101 
airplanes and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Model 
3201 airplanes. 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 identifies the unsafe condition as stress 
corrosion cracking of the primary flight control cable terminals. This 
AD requires repetitively inspecting the turnbuckle type control cable 
terminals in the rudder and elevator primary flight control circuits 
for corrosion, pitting, and cracking and, depending on the inspection 
results, replacing an affected cable assembly. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 13, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 13, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd., Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; phone: +44 3300 488727; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.baesystems.com/businesses/regionalaircraft/. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0285.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the 
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all British Aerospace 
(Operations) Limited Model Jetstream Model 3101 and British Aerospace 
Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2022 (87 FR 16118). The 
NPRM was prompted by MCAI originated by the Civil Aviation Authority 
(CAA), which is the aviation authority for the United Kingdom. CAA has 
issued AD G-2021-0017, dated December 21, 2021 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There were reports of cable terminal failures on a variety of 
civil aircraft types (which did not include the Jetstream 3100 & 
3200 series aircraft). These reports were initially made in the USA, 
Australia & New Zealand. Subsequent investigations identified that 
the failed terminals were made from the same material specification; 
MS21260, which calls up materials SAE303Se or SAE304 stainless 
steel. It is understood that these corrosion resistant steels are 
susceptible to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in service when 
subject to contamination.
    BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd recognises that SAE 303Se and 304 
stainless steels are used in the primary flight control cable 
terminal of the Jetstream 3100 & 3200 series aircraft.
    The Jetstream 3100 & 3200 series aircraft feature a single path 
for the elevator and rudder primary control cable circuits. For the 
elevator circuit, a potential unsafe condition exists if an elevator 
cable terminal fails at any point in the primary elevator system aft 
of the dual flight controls in the cockpit, because this would 
result in a loss of primary elevator control. This is only 
considered unsafe during take-off after V1, where sufficient runway 
may not be available to brake the aircraft, or during an approach 
where there is insufficient altitude to recover control of the 
aircraft using the aircraft's elevator trim controls.
    For the rudder circuit, a potential unsafe condition exists if a 
rudder cable terminal fails at any point in the primary rudder 
system aft of the dual flight controls in the cockpit, because this 
would result in a loss of primary rudder control. This is only 
considered unsafe when landing in strong crosswinds or after an 
engine failure during take-off and initial climb, where vertical 
axis (yaw) control cannot be maintained using rudder trim or 
asymmetrical power.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0285.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting 
the turnbuckle type control cable terminals in the rudder and elevator 
primary flight control circuits for corrosion, pitting, and cracking 
and, depending on the inspection results, replacing an affected cable 
assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

[[Page 34766]]

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed 
in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated January 17, 2019. 
This service information specifies procedures for repetitively 
inspecting all threaded turnbuckle type control cable end terminals on 
certain part-numbered rudder and elevator primary flight control 
circuits for signs of corrosion, pitting, and cracking on the terminal 
fitting, and specifies replacing an affected cable assembly when the 
inspection results require it. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI and service information apply to Model Jetstream Series 
3100 and Jetstream Series 3200 airplanes, which are identified on the 
FAA type certificates as Jetstream Model 3101 airplanes and Jetstream 
Model 3201 airplanes, respectively.
    Although the service information specifies reporting inspection 
results to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
         Action                Labor cost             Parts cost          Cost per airplane        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..............  4 work-hours x $85   Not applicable..........  $340 per inspection  $6,120 per
                           per hour = $340.                               cycle.               inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to replace a cable assembly 
based on the results of the inspection. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of airplanes that might need this action:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of cable assembly.................  10 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $5,000          $5,850
                                                 $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    The FAA is 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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-11-16 British Aerospace (Operations) Limited and British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-22066; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0285; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01448-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 13, 2022.

[[Page 34767]]

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2720, Rudder Control 
System; and 2730, Elevator Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 identifies the unsafe condition as stress 
corrosion cracking of the primary flight control cable terminal. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, pitting, or 
cracking in the primary flight control cable terminals. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the primary 
flight control cable terminal and loss of airplane control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before any primary rudder or primary elevator flight control 
circuit cable accumulates 16 years since first installation on an 
airplane or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 
months, inspect all threaded turnbuckle type control cable terminals 
for signs of corrosion, pitting, and cracking by following paragraph 
(2) in Section 2.B. Part 1 and Section 2.B. Part 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 
3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated 
January 17, 2019 (SB 27-JA181040). If the age of any primary rudder 
or primary elevator flight control circuit cable is unknown, do the 
inspection within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, there is pitting or cracking or corrosion that exceeds 
minimum damage limits, before further flight, replace the affected 
cable assembly with a new (zero hours time-in-service) cable 
assembly.
    (3) Replacing a cable assembly does not terminate the 
inspections required by this AD. After replacing a cable assembly, 
do the inspection in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD before the cable 
assembly accumulates 15 years since first installation on an 
airplane and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD G-2021-0017, 
dated December 21, 2021, for related information. You may examine 
the CAA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0285.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated January 17, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd., Customer Information Department, 
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United 
Kingdom; phone: +44 3300 488727; fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.baesystems.com/businesses/regionalaircraft/.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 24, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12182 Filed 6-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P