Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes, 43025-43029 [05-14390]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43025-43029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14390]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21137; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-86-AD; 
Amendment 39-14200; AD 2005-15-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited 
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. This 
AD requires repetitive detailed and specialized inspections to detect 
fatigue damage in the fuselage, replacement of certain bolt assemblies, 
and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a review of 
primary airframe fatigue test results and a Maintenance Steering Group 
3 (MSG-3) analysis. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
fatigue damage of the fuselage, door, engine nacelle, empennage, and 
wing structures, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 30, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 43026]]

of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 30, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact British Aerospace Regional Aircraft American Support, 13850 
Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171, for service information 
identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2005 (70 FR 24326). That 
NPRM proposed to require repetitive detailed and specialized 
inspections to detect fatigue damage in the fuselage, replacement of 
certain bolt assemblies, and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

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

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost per      Number of
                                                       Average                                airplane, per     U.S.-
                 Action                  Work hours  labor rate             Parts              inspection     registered            Fleet cost
                                                      per hour                                    cycle       airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections of the door structure......          17         $65  None......................          $1,105           57  Up to $62,985, per inspection
                                                                                                                           cycle.
Inspections of the fuselage structure..         164          65  None......................          10,660           57  Up to $607,620, per inspection/
                                                                                                                           replacement cycle.
Inspections of the engine nacelle                 4          65  None......................             260           57  Up to $14,820, per inspection
 structure.                                                                                                                cycle.
Inspections of the empennage structure.          14          65  None......................             910           57  Up to $51,870, per inspection
                                                                                                                           cycle.
Inspections of the wing structure......          24          65  None......................           1,560           57  Up to $88,920, per inspection
                                                                                                                           cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In summary, required actions will take about 223 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is up to 
$826,215, or $14,495 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 have 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 that 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. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by

[[Page 43027]]

adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-15-11 BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Formerly British 
Aerospace Regional Aircraft): Amendment 39-14200. Docket No. FAA-
2005-21137; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-86-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 30, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to all BAE Systems 
(Operations) Limited Model Jetstream 4101 airplanes, certificated in 
any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a review of primary airframe fatigue 
test results and a Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) analysis. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue damage of the 
fuselage, door, engine nacelle, empennage, and wing structures, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
    Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions 
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin Reference

    (f) The term ``the service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means 
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin J41-51-001, 
Revision 2, dated April 30, 2003.

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (g) At the compliance times specified in the ``Initial 
Compliance Time'' column of Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this AD: Do 
the applicable detailed inspections and specialized inspections to 
detect fatigue damage, and replacement of certain bolt assemblies, 
and any applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Do any 
corrective action before further flight. Repeat the inspections and 
replacement thereafter at intervals specified in the ``Repetitive 
Intervals'' column of Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirrors, magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''


                                      Table 1.--Appendix 1 Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Initial compliance time (whichever occurs later
    Part  of actions       between the times in ``inspection threshold'' and
 specified in appendix 1 of the                     ``grace period'')                      Repetitive intervals
        service bulletin         -------------------------------------------------------
                                      Inspection threshold            Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 6............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   22,500 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 3,300 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
2...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   20,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 5,200 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
3, 5, 7.........................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   21,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 10,000 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
4...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 26,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      Table 2.--Appendix 2 Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Initial compliance time (whichever occurs later
                                    between the times in ``inspection threshold'' and
    Part  of actions                       ``grace period'')
 specified in appendix 1 of the  -------------------------------------------------------   Repetitive intervals
        service bulletin             Inspection/replacement
                                            threshold                 Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 3, 32........................  Within 96 months after the    Within 12 months after   At intervals not to
                                   date of issuance of the       the effective date of    exceed 24 months.
                                   original standard             this AD.
                                   Airworthiness Certificate
                                   or the date of issuance of
                                   the original Export
                                   Certificate of
                                   Airworthiness, whichever
                                   occurs later.
2...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   23,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 10,000 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
4, 10, 11, 12, 13...............  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   20,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 6,600 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD..
5...............................  Within 48 months after the    Within 12 months after   At intervals not to
                                   date of issuance of the       the effective date of    exceed 24 months.
                                   original standard             this AD.
                                   Airworthiness Certificate
                                   or the date of issuance of
                                   the original Export
                                   Certificate of
                                   Airworthiness, whichever
                                   occurs later.
6...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   20,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 5,400 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
7...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   22,400 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 8,200 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
8...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight
                                   19,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the
                                                                 effective date of this
                                                                 AD.
9...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   23,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 2,300 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
14..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   19,700 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 4,700 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.

[[Page 43028]]

 
15..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   25,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 13,600 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
16, 19, 20......................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 25,800 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
17, 21, 29, 30..................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 30,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
18..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 30,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
22..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 16,500 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
23..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   22,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 7,400 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
24..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   23,600 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 15,700 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
25..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 12,700 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
26..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 21,800 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
27..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 18,300 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
28..............................  Between 20,000 and 26,000     Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   total flight cycles.          cycles after the         exceed 9,500 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
31..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 16,300 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
33..............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles.   cycles after the         exceed 26,000 flight
                                                                 effective date of this   cycles.
                                                                 AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      Table 3.--Appendix 3 Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Initial compliance time (whichever occurs later
    Part  of actions       between the times in ``inspection threshold'' and
 specified in appendix 3 of the                     ``grace period'')                      Repetitive intervals
        service bulletin         -------------------------------------------------------
                                      Inspection threshold            Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   24,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 11,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      Table 4.--Appendix 4 Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Initial compliance time (whichever occurs later
    Part  of actions       between the times in ``inspection threshold'' and
 specified in appendix 4 of the                     ``grace period'')                      Repetitive intervals
        service bulletin         -------------------------------------------------------
                                      Inspection threshold            Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 12,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
2...............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 30,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
3, 5............................  Within 48 months after the    Within 12 months after   At intervals not to
                                   date of issuance of the       the effective date of    exceed 48 months.
                                   original standard             this AD.
                                   Airworthiness Certificate
                                   or the date of the issuance
                                   of the original Export
                                   Certificate of
                                   Airworthiness, whichever
                                   occurs later.

[[Page 43029]]

 
4, 6............................  96 months after the date of   Within 12 months after   At intervals not to
                                   issuance of the original      the effective date of    exceed 48 months.
                                   standard Airworthiness        this AD.
                                   Certificate or the date of
                                   issuance of the original
                                   Export Certificate of
                                   Airworthiness, whichever
                                   occurs later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      Table 5.--Appendix 5 Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Initial compliance time (whichever occurs later
    Part  of actions       between the times in ``inspection threshold'' and
 specified in appendix 5 of the                     ``grace period'')                      Repetitive intervals
        service bulletin         -------------------------------------------------------
                                      Inspection threshold            Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 7............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 30,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
2, 5, 6.........................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 9,000 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
3, 4............................  Before the accumulation of    Within 500 flight        At intervals not to
                                   26,000 total flight cycles    cycles after the         exceed 7,900 flight
                                   and after the accumulation    effective date of this   cycles.
                                   of 20,000 total flight        AD.
                                   cycles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repairs for Damage Beyond Service Bulletin Limits

    (h) If any fatigue damage is found that exceeds the limits 
specified in the service bulletin: Before further flight, repair the 
damage according to a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Civil Aviation Authority (or its delegated agent).

Previous Actions

    (i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin 
J41-51-001, dated February 15, 2002; or Revision 1, dated August 7, 
2002; are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

No Report Required

    (j) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (l) British airworthiness directive 005-02-2002 also addresses 
the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Service 
Bulletin J41-51-001, Revision 2, dated April 30, 2003, to perform 
the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft American Support, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 
20171, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies 
at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14390 Filed 7-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P