[Federal Register: December 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 245)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 72636-72637]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21de07-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-260-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. That
action would have required revising the airplane flight manual to
advise the flightcrew of special operating limitations associated with
a reduction in airplane performance due to loss of propeller
efficiency. That action also would have required installing placards in
the flight compartment and operating the airplane per certain special
operating limitations; or performing repetitive flight checks to verify
the adequacy of the airplane's climb performance, and accomplishing
follow-on actions if necessary. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued another NPRM
applicable to certain propellers, which addresses the identified unsafe
condition. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register
as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on February 6, 2004 (69 FR
5775). The proposed rule would have required revising the airplane
flight manual to advise the flightcrew of special operating limitations
associated with a reduction in airplane performance due to loss of
propeller efficiency. That action also would have required installing
placards in the flight compartment and operating the airplane per
certain special operating limitations; or performing repetitive flight
checks to verify the adequacy of the airplane's climb performance, and
accomplishing follow-on actions if necessary. That action was prompted
by a report indicating that a shortfall in engine performance, compared
to the performance standards shown in the airplane flight manual (AFM),
has been observed during climb-performance test flights. The proposed
actions were intended to ensure that the flightcrew accounts for the
potential loss of airplane performance due to loss of propeller
efficiency, which could result in an increased risk of collision with
terrain.
Actions that Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued
On October 24, 2007, we issued NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-25173, for
McCauley Propeller Systems propeller models B5JFR36C1101/114GCA-0,
C5JFR36C1102/L114GCA-0, B5JFR36C1103/114HCA-0, and C5JFR36C1104/
L114HCA-0. These propellers are installed on BAE Systems (Operations)
Limited (Jetstream) Model 4100 and 4101 airplanes. That NPRM would
require, for certain blades, fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI)
and eddy current inspections (ECI) of propeller blades for cracks based
on hours time-in-service after the effective date of the AD, and if any
crack indications are found, removal from service.
Also, the NPRM would require inspecting for blunt leading edges of
the
[[Page 72637]]
propeller blades while inspecting them for cracks, and if necessary,
dressing any erosion before returning the blades to service. That NPRM
results from our determination that we must require repetitive
inspections for cracks, and from reports of blunt leading edges of the
propeller blades due to erosion. We issued that NPRM to detect cracks
in the propeller blade that could cause failure and separation of the
propeller blade and loss of control of the airplane, and to detect
blunt leading edges on the propeller blades, which could cause airplane
single engine climb performance degradation and could result in an
increased risk of collision with terrain.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, we have determined that, for all BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, the
proposed actions specified in NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2006-25173, more
adequately address loss of propeller efficiency due to erosion or
profile changes of the propeller blade's leading edge. Accordingly, the
proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not
preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does
it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.
Regulatory Impact
Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking,
it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not covered
under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Withdrawal
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 2002-NM-260-
AD, published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5775),
is withdrawn.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 2007.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24821 Filed 12-20-07; 8:45 am]
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