AD 96-23-11

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AD Number:
96-23-11
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
96-NM-259-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes
Subject:
Aileron Disconnect Control System
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
12/05/1996
Make:
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Model:
Jetstream Model 4101
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39 [61 FR 58980 NO. 225 11/20/96]
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 96-23-11
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   96-NM-259-AD

AMENDMENT:   39-9816

AD NUMBER:   96-23-11

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Model 4101 Airplanes

ACTION:   Final rule; request for comments

SUMMARY:   This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes. This action requires a one-time test to verify if the disconnect lock of the aileron disconnect control system functions properly, and follow-on actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a report that a disconnect unit of the aileron control system was found to be jammed and unserviceable. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct such jamming, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES:   Effective December 5, 1996. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 5, 1996. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before January 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES:   Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-259-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

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 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.

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:  
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes. The CAA advises that it has received a report indicating that, during a maintenance check of an in-service airplane, the disconnect unit of the aileron control system was found to be jammed and unserviceable. Investigation revealed that some disconnect units can jam if the disconnect lock is allowed to extend rapidly under spring tension into the locked position. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Jetstream has issued Alert Service Bulletin J41-A27-042, dated May 13, 1996, which describes procedures for performing a one-time test to verify if the disconnect lock of the aileron disconnect control system functions properly, and follow-on actions, if necessary. (These follow-on actions include replacing the aileron interconnect strut with a new aileron interconnect strut, and performing a test of the disconnect lock.) The CAA classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory and issued CAA airworthiness directive 001-05-96, dated May 31, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United Kingdom.

FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to detect and correct jamming of the disconnect units of the aileron control system, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This AD requires a one-time test to verify if the disconnect lock of the aileron disconnect control system functions properly, and follow-on actions, if necessary. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.

Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has advised that it currently is developing a modification that will positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 96-NM-259-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

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.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and that it is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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.

§ 39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

REGULATORY TEXT:  
96-23-11 JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LIMITED: Amendment 39-9816. Docket 96-NM-259-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, constructors numbers 41004 through 41084 inclusive; 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 (b) 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 jamming of the disconnect units of the aileron control system, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time test to verify if the disconnect lock of the aileron disconnect control system functions properly, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A27-042, dated May 13, 1996.

(1) If the lock functions properly, no further action is required by this AD.

(2) If the lock moves, but it does not move easily or could jam, prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified in paragraph 2.A.(3)(c) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.

(3) If the lock does not move, prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified in paragraph 2.A.(3)(d) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A27-042, dated May 13, 1996. This incorporation by reference 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 5, 1996.

FOOTER: