AD 97-02-05

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3449-3451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-881]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-243-AD; Amendment 39-9889; AD 97-02-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, that 
currently requires, among other things, replacing certain yaw damper 
servos in the autopilot system, or rendering the servo inoperative. The 
actions specified by that AD are intended to prevent overheat failure 
of the Flight Control Computer (FCC), which could result in smoke in 
the flight deck that could inhibit the ability of the flightcrew to 
safely operate and land the airplane. This new amendment requires 
installation of circuit breakers on the avionics relay panel, which, 
when accomplished, constitutes terminating action for the previous 
requirements of the AD.

DATES: Effective February 27, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-
22-006, dated July 1, 1996, as listed in the regulations, is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 27, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin 
J41-22-005, dated July 1, 1996, as listed in the regulations, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
October 1, 1996 (61 FR 48614, September 16, 1996).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles 
International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2148; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 96-19-06, 
amendment 39-9754 (61 FR 48614, September 16, 1996), which is 
applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, was published in 
the Federal Register on October 23, 1996 (61 FR 54967). The action 
proposed to supersede AD 96-19-06 to continue to require the actions 
currently specified in that AD:
    1. A one-time inspection of the airplane records to determine:

--the serial number,
--the total number of hours time-in-service accumulated,
--the date of installation of the yaw damper servo in the autopilot 
system; and
--the date of installation of a particular kit, if installed.
    2. Removal and replacement of certain yaw damper servos, or 
rendering the yaw damper servo inoperative.
    The action also proposed to add a requirement to install circuit 
breakers on the avionics relay panel. When accomplished, this 
installation would constitute terminating action for the previous 
requirements of the AD.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No

[[Page 3450]]

comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 55 Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes of U.S. 
registry that will be affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 96-19-06 take 
approximately 2 to 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the previously required actions on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be between $6,600 and $16,500, or between $120 and $300 
per airplane.
    The new action (installation of circuit breakers) that is required 
by this new AD will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the installation requirement 
of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,900, or $180 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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.
    Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is 
determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9754 (61 FR 
48614, September 16, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-9889, to read as follows:

97-02-05  Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9889. Docket 96-
NM-243-AD. Supersedes AD 96-19-06, Amendment 39-9754.

    Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes having serial numbers 41004 
through 41092, inclusive; on which Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-
22-006, dated July 1, 1996 (Kit JK42867), has not been accomplished; 
certificated in any category.

     Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheat failure of the Flight Control Computer 
(FCC), which could result in smoke in the flight deck that could 
inhibit the ability of the flightcrew to safely operate and land the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 14 days after October 1, 1996 (the effective date of 
AD 96-19-06), perform a one-time inspection of the airplane records 
to determine the serial number, the total number of hours time-in-
service accumulated, and the date of installation of the yaw damper 
servo in the autopilot system; and to determine the date of 
installation of Kit JK42716 (reference Jetstream Service Bulletin 
J41-53-016 or J41-22-007), if installed. Accomplish the inspection 
in accordance with Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A22-005, dated July 1, 1996. 
Thereafter, either remove and replace the yaw damper servo and 
install Kit JK42716 (if not installed previously), or render the yaw 
damper servo inoperative, in accordance with Part 2 or 3 of the 
alert service bulletin, respectively, at the time specified in 
paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) If Kit JK42716 has not been installed: Prior to the 
accumulation of 1,000 hours total time-in-service on the yaw damper 
servo, or within 30 days after October 1, 1996, whichever occurs 
later.
    (2) If Kit JK42716 has been installed and the yaw damper servo 
was installed prior to the installation of Kit JK42716: Prior to the 
accumulation of 1,000 hours total time-in-service on the yaw damper 
servo, or within 30 days after October 1, 1996, whichever occurs 
later.
    (3) If Kit JK42716 has been installed and the yaw damper servo 
was installed after the installation of Kit JK42716: Prior to the 
accumulation of 3,000 total hours time-in-service on the yaw damper 
servo, or within 30 days after October 1, 1996, whichever occurs 
later.
    (b) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, install 
circuit breakers on the avionics relay panel (Kit JK42867) in 
accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-22-006, dated July 1, 
1996. Accomplishment of this installation constitutes terminating 
action for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert 
Service Bulletin J41-A22-005, dated July 1, 1996; and Jetstream 
Service Bulletin J41-22-006, dated July 1, 1996. The incorporation 
by reference of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A22-005, dated 
July 1, 1996, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of 
October 1, 1996 (61

[[Page 3451]]

FR 48614, September 16, 1996). The incorporation by reference of 
Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-22-006, dated July 1, 1996, was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Jetstream Aircraft, Inc., P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International 
Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 23, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 27, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-881 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U