Document ID: FAA-2014-0020-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-01-16T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2805-2808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00764]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0020; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-039-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, 
Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes that would 
supersede an existing AD. 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 cracking of the forward main landing gear yoke pintle 
resulting from corrosion pits leading to stress corrosion. 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 March 3, 2014.

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.

[[Page 2806]]

     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-
0020; 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-2014-0020; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-039-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 December 16, 1986, we issued AD 87-02-04, Amendment 39-5497 (51 
FR 47211, December 31, 1986). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 87-02-04, Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR 47211, 
December 31, 1986), there has been a reported failure of the main 
landing gear (MLG) on a Jetstream Series 3100 airplane. An 
investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of the MLG yoke pintle 
housing as a root cause of the MLG failure.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2013-0208, dated September 10, 2013 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Prompted by occurrences of the main landing gear (MLG) yoke 
pintle housing cracking, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority 
(UK CAA) issued AD G-003-01-86 to require repetitive inspections to 
identify any crack in the yoke pintle housing on MLG fitted to 
Jetstream 3100 aeroplanes in accordance with BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd Service Bulletin (SB) 32-A-JA851226, and depending 
on findings, corrective action. After that AD was issued, an 
occurrence of Jetstream 3100 MLG failure was reported after landing. 
The subsequent investigation revealed stress corrosion cracking of 
the MLG yoke pintle housing as a root cause of the MLG failure. 
Furthermore, the investigation report recommended a review of the 
effectiveness of UK CAA AD G-003-01-86 in identifying cracks in the 
yoke pintle housing on MLG fitted to Jetstream 3100 aeroplanes.
    Degradation of the surface protection by abrasion can occur when 
the forward face of the yoke pintle rotates against the pintle 
bearing, which introduces corrosion pits and, consequently, stress 
corrosion cracking.
    This condition, if not detected and 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 provide protection of the affected area of the MLG assembly 
spigot housing, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-JM7862 to 
provide instructions for installation of a protective washer, fitted 
at the forward spigot on both, left hand (LH) and right hand (RH), 
MLG. Consequently, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-A-
JA851226 at Revision 5 to provide additional accomplishment 
instructions for Non-destructive testing inspection (NDT) of MLG 
equipped with the protective washer installed in accordance with BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd SB 32-JM7862 and to introduce reference to 
MLG manufacturer APPH Ltd SB 32-19 at Revision 4, providing 
instructions for re-protection of the yoke pintle.
    For the reasons described above, this AD retains the 
requirements of AD G-003-01-86, which is superseded, and requires 
implementation of revised inspection requirements, and depending on 
findings, corrective action. This AD introduces an optional 
modification, which constitutes terminating action for the 
inspections required by this AD.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0020.

Relevant Service Information

    British Aerospace (Operations) Limited issued Jetstream Series 3100 
& 3200 Service Bulletin No. 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 
2013; Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA880340, dated January 6, 1989; 
which references British Aerospace Dynamics Division Service Bulletin 
32-36, dated July 20, 1988; APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19, 
Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013; and APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-
40, Revision 1, dated February 2003. 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 14 work-hours per 
product to comply with the inspection requirements of this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $52,360, or $1,190 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $5,000, for a cost 
of $5,850 per

[[Page 2807]]

product for repairs. 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 39-5497 (51 FR 
47211, December 31, 1986), and adding the following new AD:

British Aerospace (Operations) Limited: Docket No. FAA-2014-0020; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-039-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 3, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 87-02-04, Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR 47211, 
December 31, 1986).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model 
HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 
3101 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 cracking of the 
forward main landing gear (MLG) yoke pintle that resulted from 
corrosion pits leading to stress corrosion. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the MLG, which could result in loss of control 
of the airplane during take-off or landing.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(11) of this AD:
    (1) For airplanes previously affected by AD 87-02-04, Amendment 
39-5497 (51 FR 47211, December 31, 1986): At the next 1,200 MLG 
flight cycle repetitive inspection required by AD 87-02-04 or within 
the next 12 months after the last 1,200 MLG flight cycle repetitive 
inspection required by AD 87-02-04, whichever occurs first, and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 MLG flight 
cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first, do a nondestructive 
testing (NDT) inspection of each MLG assembly cylinder attachment 
spigot housing following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH 
Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as 
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (2) For airplanes not previously affected by AD 87-02-04, 
Amendment 39-5497 (51 FR 47211, December 31, 1986): Within the next 
300 MLG flight cycles after the effective date of this AD or within 
the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD or at the next 
overhaul of the MLG after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
1,200 MLG flight cycles or 12 months, whichever occurs first, do a 
NDT inspection of each MLG assembly cylinder attachment spigot 
housing following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. 
Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as 
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (3) For all airplanes: Within 300 landings after a heavy or 
abnormal landing, conduct a NDT inspection of each MLG assembly 
cylinder attachment spigot following Accomplishment Instructions in 
APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 
2013, as referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 
3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 
2013.
    (4) For all airplanes: If any crack is found during any 
inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this 
AD, before further flight, take all necessary corrective actions 
following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service 
Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as referenced 
in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 
32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (5) For all airplanes: Within 300 MLG flight cycles or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first after each NDT inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable, and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 MLG flight 
cycles or 3 months, whichever occurs first, do a visual inspection 
of each MLG following the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. 
Service Bulletin No. 32-19, Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as 
referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (6) For all airplanes: If any discrepancy is found during any 
visual inspection required in paragraph (f)(5) of this AD, before 
further flight, take all necessary corrective actions following the 
Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-19, 
Revision 4, dated April 3, 2013, as referenced in British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, 
Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (7) For all airplanes with a MLG incorporating a microswitch 
hole: Within the next 10,600 MLG flight cycles since new and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 MLG flight 
cycles, do a NDT inspection of each MLG microswitch hole following 
the Accomplishment Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 
32-40, Revision 1, dated February 2003 as referenced in Part C, 
paragraph (2)(b) of British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated April 30, 2013.
    (8) For all airplanes: If any crack is found during any NDT 
inspection required in

[[Page 2808]]

paragraph (f)(7) of this AD, before further flight, take all 
necessary corrective actions following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 32-40, Revision 1, 
dated February 2003, as referenced in British Aerospace Jetstream 
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-A-JA851226, Revision 5, dated 
April 30, 2013.
    (9) For all airplanes: Doing all necessary corrective actions 
required in paragraphs (f)(4), (f)(6), and (f)(8) of this AD does 
not constitute terminating action for the inspections required by 
this AD.
    (10) For all airplanes: Modification of each MLG cylinder 
following BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-
JA880340, original issue, dated January 6, 1989, constitutes 
terminating action for the inspections required by this AD for that 
MLG.
    (11) For all airplanes: The compliance times in paragraphs 
(f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(5), and (f)(7) 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. For the purposes of this AD:
    (i) 100 hours TIS x .75 = 75 cycles; and
    (ii) 1,000 hours TIS x .75 = 750 cycles.

(g) Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the initial inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(7) of this AD if done before the effective date of 
this AD following APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-40, at Initial Issue 
dated June 21, 1989.

(h) 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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0208, dated September 10, 2013, for related information. You 
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0020. 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 8, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-00764 Filed 1-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P