[Federal Register: March 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 48)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11300-11302]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr07-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft
Jetstream Model 3201 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 the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft
Maintenance Manual (AMM) applicable to the British Aerospace
Jetstream 3200 has been revised. Some lives have been amended and
new lives introduced. Compliance with these requirements is
necessary to maintain airworthiness.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 12, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Safety
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
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-2006-
26284; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-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://dms.dot.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
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, has issued AD No. G-2004-0024, Issue
Date: September 22, 2004, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
approved on September 16, 2004, under approval number 2004-9648
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft
Maintenance Manual (AMM) applicable to the British Aerospace
Jetstream 3200 has been revised. Some lives have been amended and
new lives introduced. Compliance with these requirements is
necessary to maintain airworthiness.
The MCAI requires:
From the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive (AD),
comply with the requirements of BAE Jetstream Series 3200 Aircraft
Maintenance Manual, Chapter 05-10-05, Airworthiness Limitations
Description and Operation Section,* Revision 14 or later EASA
approved revision.
* Only the structural fatigue tasks are mandated by this AD, the
following tasks are not addressed by this AD: All the tasks recorded
in Tables 2, 4, 5 and 8. Together
[[Page 11301]]
with the Table No 3--task 27-70-000 Gust lock system.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
British Aerospace has issued Aircraft Maintenance Manual 05-10-05
001--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION--BAe
Jetstream 32, dated January 11, 2006, for Recurring Mandatory
Inspections and Maintenance Actions. The actions described in this AMM
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
This version of the above-referenced document is a later EASA-
approved version than that referenced 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.
Differences Between This Proposed 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 proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the
actions copied from the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 20 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the proposed
AD (inserting the document into the Airworthiness Limitations Section
of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness or other FAA-approved
maintenance document). The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $1,600, or $80 per product.
We have no way of determining the costs associated with having to
replace certain parts at an earlier time due to reduced life limits.
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); 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2006-26284;
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-68-AD
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 12, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all
serial numbers, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55:
Structures.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states: ``The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Aircraft
Maintenance Manual (AMM) applicable to the British Aerospace
Jetstream 3200 has been revised. Some lives have been amended and
new lives introduced. Compliance with these requirements is
necessary to maintain airworthiness.''
Actions and Compliance
(f) Within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD
do the following, unless already done:
(1) Incorporate the information referenced below from Aircraft
Maintenance Manual 05-10-05 001--AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS--
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION--BAe Jetstream 32, dated January 11, 2006,
for Recurring Mandatory Inspections and Maintenance Actions into the
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness or other FAA-approved maintenance document. You may
use a later European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-approved revision
that incorporates these same life limits.
[[Page 11302]]
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Table No. in document Affected areas AD applies
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(i) Table No. 1................ Wing, Fuselage, Yes.
Fin, Tailplane,
Engine mounting,
Flap system.
(ii) Table No. 2............... Electrical Power No.
(all Items).
(iii) Table No. 3.............. Rudder pedal/brake Yes.
master cylinder
attachment
brackets.
(iv) Table No. 3............... Gust lock system.. No.
(v) Table No. 4 and Table No. 5 Ice and rain No.
protection (all
items).
(vi) Table No. 6 and Table No. Landing gear (all Yes.
7. items).
(vii) Table No. 8.............. Lighting (all No.
items).
(viii) Table No. 9............. Doors (all items). Yes.
(ix) Table No. 10.............. Fuselage (all Yes.
items).
(x) Table No. 11............... Stabilizers (all Yes.
items).
(xi) Table No. 12.............. Wings (all items). Yes.
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(2) The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot
certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may do the actions of this AD. Make an
entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in
accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 43.9).
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
(1) The MCAI requires you to comply with a version of a
maintenance manual that changes life limits. The FAA requires such
changes through a change to the Airworthiness Limitations Section of
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness or other FAA-approved
maintenance document, and the FAA is mandating this through this AD.
(2) We added information in paragraph (f) that allows the owner/
operator to insert this information into the Airworthiness
Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
or other FAA-approved maintenance document. Without this
information, a licensed mechanic would be required to do the action.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Staff, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ATTN: Taylor
Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(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 Civil Aviation Authority AD No. G-2004-0024,
Issue Date: September 22, 2004, EASA approved on September 16, 2004,
under approval number 2004-9648, for related information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 6, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-4518 Filed 3-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P