Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
| Citation | 87 FR 16118 |
| Record Number | 2022-05673 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Published date | 22 March 2022 |
Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16118-16120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05673]
[[Page 16118]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01448-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace (Operations) Limited
and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model Jetstream Model
3101 and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model Jetstream Model 3201
airplanes. This proposed 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 identifies the unsafe condition as stress
corrosion cracking of the primary flight control cable terminals. This
proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the turnbuckle type
control cable terminals in the rudder and elevator primary flight
control circuits for corrosion, pitting, and cracking and, depending on
the inspection results, replacing an affected cable assembly. The FAA
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 6,
2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact BAE
Systems (Operations) Ltd., Customer Information Department, Prestwick
International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom;
phone: +44 3300 488727; fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
[email protected]; website: https://www.baesystems.com/businesses/regionalaircraft/. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01448-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug
Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority
for the United Kingdom, has issued CAA AD G-2021-0017, dated December
21, 2021 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe
condition on all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model Jetstream
Series 3100 and Series 3200 airplanes. The MCAI states:
There were reports of cable terminal failures on a variety of
civil aircraft types (which did not include the Jetstream 3100 &
3200 series aircraft). These reports were initially made in the USA,
Australia & New Zealand.
Subsequent investigations identified that the failed terminals
were made from the same material specification; MS21260, which calls
up materials SAE303Se or SAE304 stainless steel. It is understood
that these corrosion resistant steels are susceptible to Stress
Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in service when subject to contamination.
BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd recognises that SAE 303Se and 304
stainless steels are used in the primary flight control cable
terminal of the Jetstream 3100 & 3200 series aircraft.
The Jetstream 3100 & 3200 series aircraft feature a single path
for the elevator and rudder primary control cable circuits. For the
elevator circuit, a potential unsafe condition exists if an elevator
cable terminal fails at any point in the primary elevator system aft
of the dual flight controls in the cockpit, because this would
result in a loss of primary elevator control. This is only
considered unsafe during take-off after V1, where sufficient runway
may not be available to brake the aircraft, or during an approach
where there is insufficient altitude to recover control of the
aircraft using the aircraft's elevator trim controls.
For the rudder circuit, a potential unsafe condition exists if a
rudder cable terminal fails at any point in the primary rudder
system aft of the dual flight controls in the cockpit, because this
would result in a loss of primary rudder control. This is only
[[Page 16119]]
considered unsafe when landing in strong crosswinds or after an
engine failure during take-off and initial climb, where vertical
axis (yaw) control cannot be maintained using rudder trim or
asymmetrical power.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0285.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200
Service Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated January 17, 2019.
This service information specifies procedures for repetitively
inspecting all threaded turnbuckle type control cable end terminals on
certain part-numbered rudder and elevator primary flight control
circuits for signs of corrosion, pitting, and cracking on the terminal
fitting, and specifies replacing an affected cable assembly when the
inspection results require it. This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties have access to it through
their normal course of business or by the means identified in
ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI and service information apply to Model Jetstream Series
3100 and Jetstream Series 3200 airplanes, which are identified on the
FAA type certificates as Jetstream Model 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201
airplanes, respectively.
Although the service information specifies reporting inspection
results to the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require that
action.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 18 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per airplane operators
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Inspection..................... 4 work-hours x Not applicable........ $340 per $6,120 per
$85 per hour = inspection cycle. inspection
$340. cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to replace a cable assembly
based on the results of the proposed inspection. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of airplanes that might need this action:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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Replacement of cable assembly................ 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $5,000 $5,850
$850.
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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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 16120]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
British Aerospace (Operations) Limited and British Aerospace
Regional Aircraft: Docket No. FAA-2022-0285; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01448-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 6, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to British Aerospace (Operations) Limited Model
Jetstream Model 3101 and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2720, Rudder Control
System, and 2730, Elevator Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
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 identifies the unsafe condition as stress
corrosion cracking of the primary flight control cable terminal. The
FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, pitting, or
cracking in the primary flight control cable terminals. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the primary
flight control cable terminal and loss of airplane control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before any primary rudder or primary elevator flight control
circuit cable accumulates 16 years since first installation on an
airplane or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24
months, inspect all threaded turnbuckle type control cable terminals
for signs of corrosion, pitting, and cracking by following paragraph
(2) in Section 2.B. Part 1 and Section 2.B. Part 2 of the
Accomplishment Instructions in British Aerospace Jetstream Series
3100 & 3200 Service Bulletin 27-JA181040, Original Issue, dated
January 17, 2019 (SB 27-JA181040). If the age of any primary rudder
or primary elevator flight control circuit cable is unknown, do the
inspection within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, there is pitting or cracking or corrosion that exceeds
minimum damage limits, before further flight, replace the affected
cable assembly with a new (zero hours time-in-service) cable
assembly.
(3) Replacing a cable assembly does not terminate the
inspections required by this AD. After replacing a cable assembly,
do the inspection in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD before the cable
assembly accumulates 15 years since first installation on an
airplane and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 24 months.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD
and email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].
(2) Refer to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD G-2021-0017,
dated December 21, 2021, for more information. You may examine the
CAA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0285.
(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 3300 488727; fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
[email protected]; website: https://www.baesystems.com/businesses/regionalaircraft/. You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety
Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Issued on March 11, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05673 Filed 3-21-22; 8:45 am]
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