AD 95-22-02

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Jetstream Model ATP airplanes, that currently requires daily and/or pre-flight cleaning and inspections to detect damaged main landing gear (MLG) wheel bearings and replacement of discrepant parts. That AD was prompted by reports of failure of the MLG wheel bearings. This action requires an additional inspection, in lieu of the pre-flight inspection, for certain airplanes. This action also requires the accomplishment of a terminating modification that eliminates the need for daily and pre-flight inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MLG wheel bearing, which could result in detachment of a MLG wheel from the airplane.

Final rule

95-22-02 JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LIMITED (Formerly British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited): Amendment 39-9409. Docket 94-NM-173-AD. Supersedes AD 94-05-03, Amendment 39-8841.
Applicability: Model ATP airplanes, constructor numbers 2001 through 2063 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 otherwise 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent detachment of a main landing gear (MLG) wheel from the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) For airplanes on which Jetstream Modification 35296A (reference Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-51-35296A) has not been installed: Accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.

(1) Within 24 hours after March 15, 1994 (the effective date of AD 94-05-03, amendment 39-8841), perform a cleaning and a detailed visual inspection to detect damage (including blistering or flaking of the paint) or discoloration of the wheel hub caps and of the outer side of the inflation valve side hubs on the MLG wheels, in accordance with paragraph 2.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructionsof Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994; or in accordance with paragraph 2.A.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1994. Thereafter, prior to the first flight of each day, repeat this cleaning and inspection. The cleaning and inspection must be performed by appropriately certificated maintenance personnel as specified in section 43.3 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3). If any damage or discoloration is found during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the existing MLG wheel assembly and bearings with a serviceable wheel assembly and bearings, in accordance with the airplane maintenance manual.

(2) Following accomplishment of the initial inspection required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, prior to each flight, with the exception of the first flight of each day, perform a pre-flight detailed visual inspection to detect damage (including blistering or flaking of the paint) or heat discoloration of the wheel hub cap and the outer side of each inflation valve side hub on the MLG wheels, in accordance with paragraph 2.A.(3) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994; or in accordance with paragraph 2.A.(3) of the Accomplishment Instruction of Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1994. The pre-flight inspections must be performed by appropriately certificated maintenance personnel, as specified in section 43.3. If any damage or discoloration is found during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the existing MLG wheel assembly and bearings with a serviceable wheel assembly and bearings, in accordance with the airplane maintenance manual.

(b) For airplanes on which Jetstream Modification 35296A (reference Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-51-35296A) has been installed:Accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD.

(1) Within 24 hours after the last inspection performed in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, perform a cleaning and a detailed visual inspection to detect damage (including blistering or flaking of the paint) or discoloration of the wheel hub caps and of the outer side of the inflation valve side hubs on the MLG wheels, in accordance with paragraph 2.Part B.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1994. Thereafter, prior to the first flight of each day, repeat this cleaning and inspection. The cleaning and inspection must be performed by appropriately certificated maintenance personnel as specified in section 43.3 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3). If any damage or discoloration is found during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the existing MLG wheel assembly and bearings with a serviceable wheel assembly and bearings, in accordance with the airplane maintenance manual.

(2) Following accomplishment of the initial inspection required by paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, once a day, perform an additional intermediate detailed visual inspection to detect damage (including blistering or flaking of the paint) or heat discoloration of the wheel hub cap and the outer side of each inflation valve side hub on the MLG wheels, in accordance with paragraph 2.Part B.(3) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1994. The once-a-day inspections must be performed by appropriately certificated maintenance personnel, as specified in 14 CFR 43.3. If any damage or discoloration is found during any inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, replace the existing MLG wheel assembly and bearings with a serviceable wheel assembly and bearings, in accordance with the airplane maintenance manual.

(c) Within 10months after the effective date of this AD, modify the MLG, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-51-35296A, dated May 12, 1994; and Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-53-35294A (including Erratum No. 1), dated July 18, 1994, or Revision 2, dated January 13, 1995. Accomplishment of these modifications constitutes terminating action for the daily and pre-flight inspection requirements of this AD.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) The modification shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32- 51-35296A, dated May 12, 1994; and Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-53-35294A, dated July 18, 1994 (including Erratum No. 1), or Revision 2, dated January 13, 1995. The cleaning and inspections shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994, or Revision 3, dated July 15, 1995. The incorporation by reference of Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-32-48, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1994, was approved previously (including Erratum No. 1) by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of March 15, 1994 (59 FR 9400, February 28, 1994).The incorporation by reference of the remainder of the service documents is 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on November 29, 1995.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 94-05-03, amendment 39-8841 (59 FR 9400, February 28, 1994), which is applicable to certain Jetstream Model ATP airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on June 12, 1995 (60 FR 30798). The action proposed to continue to require daily cleaning and daily/pre-flight detailed visual inspections to detect damage (including blistering or flaking of the paint) or discoloration of the wheel hub caps and of the outer side of the inflation valve side hubs on the MLG wheels. The action also proposed to require an additional daily intermediate detailed visual inspection, in lieu of the pre-flight inspection, for certain airplanes. Additionally, the action proposed to require modification of the MLG, which would constitute terminating action for the daily, pre-flight, and daily intermediate inspection requirements.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.

The commenter supports the proposed rule.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

The inspections that were previously required by AD 94-05-03, and retained in this AD, take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the inspection requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The inspections that will be added by this AD will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based onthese figures, the total cost impact of the inspections required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

It will take approximately 11 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required modifications at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,600, or $660 per airplane.

The total 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.

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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.

39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8841 (59 FR 9400, February 28, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-9409, to read as follows: