AD 95-15-10

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, that requires an inspection to determine if a travel stop (screw) is installed at the flight control assembly, and various follow-on actions. This amendment is prompted by a report of failure of the travel stop, which allowed the elevator and aileron disconnect handles to rotate within the housing due to migration of the travel stop from its position. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such migration, which could result in the elevator and aileron disconnect system resetting without the use of the reset button; this condition could lead to jamming of the disconnect handles.

Final rule

95-15-10 JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LIMITED: Amendment 39-9313. Docket 94-NM-189-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes, constructors numbers 41004 through 41039 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) 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 casedoes 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 jamming of the elevator and aileron disconnect handles, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an inspection to determine if a travel stop (screw) is installed at the flight control assembly, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated September 2, 1994.

(1) If no travel stop is found to be installed, prior to further flight, install a new travel stop in accordance with the service bulletin. After installation, accomplish paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.

(2) If such a travel stop is installed, prior to further flight, perform a rotation to determine the security of the travel stop, in accordance with the service bulletin.

(i) If the travel stop is found to be properly secured, no further action is required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

(ii) If the travel stop is found to be loose, prior to further flight, remove it and perform an inspection to detect damage in accordance with the service bulletin. If any damage is found, replace the travel stop with a new travel stop, in accordance with the service bulletin. After replacement, repeat the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.

(b) After accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated September 2, 1994.

(1) Apply Loctite Superfast 290 to the travel stop;

(2) Permanently mark the flight control assembly; and

(3) Perform a functional test of the aileron and elevator disconnect systems and set them to the locked position.

NOTE 2: Procedures for installing a protective spiral wrap cover are contained in Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated September 2, 1994. This installation is recommended, but is not required by 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 3: 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 Service Bulletin J41-27-036, dated September 2, 1994. 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 23, 1995.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 17, 1995 (60 FR 9304). That action proposed to require an inspection to determine if a travel stop (screw) is installed at the flight control assembly, and various follow-on actions.

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, but requests that the FAA consider the final rule to be interim action. This commenter states that the FAA should continue to investigate and determine the cause of the migration of the screw. The FAA concurs. The FAA inadvertently omitted indication that this rule is considered to be interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

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 with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,360, or $240 per airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this ADaction, 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 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

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