Document ID: FAA-2010-0942-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Models Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes
Posted Date: 2010-12-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75882-75884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30197]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0942; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-049-AD; 
Amendment 39-16535; AD 2010-25-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Models Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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:

    As a result of the fatigue-testing programme on the Jetstream 
fatigue test specimen, it has been identified that failure of the 
undercarriage jack mounting shaft assembly can occur.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a Main Landing 
Gear (MLG) collapse on the ground or during landing and consequently 
damage to the aeroplane or injury to the occupants.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 11, 2011.
    On January 11, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, 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 service information identified in this AD, contact BAE Systems 
(Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
telephone +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; e-mail: 
RApublications@baesystems.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.

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; e-mail: 
taylor.martin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2010 
(75 FR 59170). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    As a result of the fatigue-testing programme on the Jetstream 
fatigue test specimen, it has been identified that failure of the 
undercarriage jack mounting shaft assembly can occur.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a Main Landing 
Gear (MLG) collapse on the ground or during landing and consequently 
damage to the aeroplane or injury to the occupants.
    BAE SYSTEMS have now defined safe life limits for these 
components.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
application of safe life limits to these components.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

[[Page 75883]]

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 80 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 15 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $10,000 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $902,000, or $11,275 per product.

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 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 this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 AD:

2010-25-02 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-16535; 
Docket No. FAA-2010-0942; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-049-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 
11, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

Subject

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

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    As a result of the fatigue-testing programme on the Jetstream 
fatigue test specimen, it has been identified that failure of the 
undercarriage jack mounting shaft assembly can occur.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a Main Landing 
Gear (MLG) collapse on the ground or during landing and consequently 
damage to the aeroplane or injury to the occupants.
    BAE SYSTEMS have now defined safe life limits for these 
components.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
application of safe life limits to these components.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 30 days after January 11, 2011 (the effective date of 
this AD), establish the number of flight cycles (landings) 
accumulated since installation of each left and right main landing 
gear radius rod mounting shaft assemblies following paragraph 2.(A) 
of BAE Systems British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 
Service Bulletin 05-JA090143, dated April 30, 2009.
    (2) Replace the left and right main landing gear radius rod 
mounting shaft assembly with an airworthy assembly following British 
Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA990142, 
dated March 26, 1999, within the following:
    (i) For Model Jetstream Series 3101: Within 38,220 total 
landings accumulated on each main landing gear radius rod mounting 
shaft assembly or within 1,000 landings after January 11, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later; and
    (ii) For Model Jetstream Model 3201: Within 31,038 total 
landings accumulated on each main landing gear radius rod mounting 
shaft assembly or within 1,000 landings after January 11, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later.
    (3) After replacing each main landing gear radius rod mounting 
shaft assembly as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, 
repetitively thereafter replace each assembly with an airworthy 
assembly at intervals not to exceed the following life limits:
    (i) For Model Jetstream Series 3101: Within 38,220 total 
landings; and
    (ii) For Model Jetstream Model 3201: Within 31,038 total 
landings.
    (4) For operators that do not have landing records, determine 
the number of landings by multiplying the number of hours time-in-
service (TIS) accumulated on each main landing gear radius rod 
mounting shaft assembly by 0.75. For the purpose of this AD:
    (i) 1,000 landings equals 1,333 hours TIS;
    (ii) 31,038 landings equals 41,384 hours TIS; and
    (iii) 38,220 landings equals 50,960 hours TIS.
    (5) Compliance with the life limits set in paragraph (f)(3) of 
this AD may be done by incorporating these limits into the 
limitations section of the aircraft maintenance manual. You may do 
this by inserting a copy of this

[[Page 75884]]

AD into the limitations section of aircraft maintenance manual.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) 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; e-mail: 
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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2010-0162, dated August 4, 2010; BAE Systems British Aerospace 
Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 05-JA090143, dated 
April 30, 2009; and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft British 
Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA990142, 
dated March 26, 1999, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use BAE Systems British Aerospace Jetstream Series 
3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 05-JA090143, dated April 30, 2009; and 
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft British Aerospace Jetstream 
Series 3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 32-JA990142, dated March 26, 
1999, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact BAE 
Systems (Operations) Ltd, Customer Information Department, Prestwick 
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom; 
telephone +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; e-mail: 
RApublications@baesystems.com.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 23, 2010.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30197 Filed 12-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P