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CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39

Docket ID: [Docket No. FAA-2008-0035; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-103-AD]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64

NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES

ACTION: Airworthiness Directives:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 19, 2008.

DOCUMENT 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) 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:

Two incidents have been reported where the normal hydraulic supplies were lost due to failure/loss of the steering jack gland housing. This has been attributed to preexisting thread damage on the steering jack gland housing. Three previous failures may also be due to this failure mechanism.

Failure of the steering jack gland housing resulted in significant damage to the right hand undercarriage bay door, and could result in the nose landing gear jamming in a fully or partially retracted position. Landing in such a condition is considered as potentially unsafe due to the degraded control of the aircraft post touch down.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

SUMMARY: British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1 et al.,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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. FAA20080035; Directorate Identifier 2007CE103AD'' 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://www.regulations.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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No. 20060128, dated May 18, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Two incidents have been reported where the normal hydraulic supplies were lost due to failure/loss of the steering jack gland housing. This has been attributed to preexisting thread damage on the steering jack gland housing. Three previous failures may also be due to this failure mechanism.

Failure of the steering jack gland housing resulted in significant damage to the right hand undercarriage bay door, and could result in the nose landing gear jamming in a fully or partially retracted position. Landing in such a condition is considered as potentially unsafe due to the degraded control of the aircraft post touch down.

Changes to the gland have been introduced in order to prevent further recurrence.

This proposed AD would require you to install a serviceable steering jack.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft has issued British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin 32JM5417, Original Issue: March 22, 2005. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified 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
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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 highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 149 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 10 workhours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per workhour. Required parts would cost about $100 per product.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $134,100, or $900 per product.

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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. FAA20080035; Directorate Identifier 2007CE103AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 19, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200, Jetstream Series 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Two incidents have been reported where the normal hydraulic supplies were lost due to failure/loss of the steering jack gland housing. This has been attributed to preexisting thread damage on the steering jack gland housing. Three previous failures may also be due to this failure mechanism.

Failure of the steering jack gland housing resulted in significant damage to the right hand undercarriage bay door, and could result in the nose landing gear jamming in a fully or partially retracted position. Landing in such a condition is considered as potentially unsafe due to the degraded control of the aircraft post touch down.

Changes to the gland have been introduced in order to prevent further recurrence.

This AD would require you to install a serviceable steering jack.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, install a serviceable steering jack that has been modified following APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 3278, dated February 2005, as specified in British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin 32JM5417, Original Issue: March 22, 2005.

FAA AD Differences

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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) 3294138; fax: (816) 3294090. 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 FAAapproved. Corrective actions are considered FAAapproved 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 21200056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 20060128,
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dated May 18, 2006; and British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 Service Bulletin 32JM5417, Original Issue: March 22, 2005, for related information.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 11, 2008. John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8824 Filed 11708; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 3294138; fax: (816) 3294090.