Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes, 14808-14810 [2015-06053]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14808-14810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06053]



[[Page 14808]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1093; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD; 
Amendment 39-18119; AD 2015-06-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are superseding an airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-06-03 
for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and 
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. 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 stress corrosion cracking of the main landing gear spigot 
housing. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 24, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of April 24, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1093; or in person at the Docket 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; 
phone: +44 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet: https://www.jetstreamcentral.com. You may view this 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. It is also available on the 
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for locating Docket 
No. FAA-2014-1093.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to British Aerospace Regional 
Aircraft Model Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 
31, 2014 (79 FR 78726), and proposed to supersede AD 2014-06-03, 
Amendment 39-17807 (79 FR 17395, March 28, 2014).
    The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. The MCAI states that:

    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 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).

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1093-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 78726, December 31, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 78726, December 31, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 78726, December 31, 2014).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 
Service Bulletin No. 32-JM7862, Revision 3,

[[Page 14809]]

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 service information describes procedures for modifying the 
LH and RH MLG at the forward spigot and inspecting for migration of the 
special washer, taking corrective action as necessary. This service 
information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access 
this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 44 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 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 $170 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 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 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 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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://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 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

    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 removing Amendment 39-17807 (79 FR 
17395, March 28, 2014) and adding the following new AD:

2015-06-01 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Amendment 39-18119; 
Docket No. FAA-2014-1093; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-035-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 24, 
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) of this AD, 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 April 24, 2015 (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 April 24, 2015 (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

[[Page 14810]]

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 April 24, 2015 (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 April 24, 2015 (the effective date 
of this AD) or within the next 6 months after April 24, 2015 (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 April 24, 2015 (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 April 24, 2015 (the effective date 
of this AD) or within the next 2 months after April 24, 2015 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For MLG configuration equipped with L161 cylinder: Within 
the next 600 flight cycles after April 24, 2015 (the effective date 
of this AD) or within the next 6 months after April 24, 2015 (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 April 24, 2015 (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 found in the 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. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1093-0002.

(i) 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 and 3200 Service 
Bulletin No. 32-JM7862, Revision 3, dated October 3, 2014.
    (ii) British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 Service 
Bulletin 32-A-JA140940, Original Issue, dated October 3, 2014.
    (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 1292 675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email: 
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet: https://www.jetstreamcentral.com.
    (4) You may view this service information 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1093.
    (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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 10, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06053 Filed 3-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P