AD 95-02-05

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Jetstream Aircraft Limited (JAL) HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes. This action requires repetitively inspecting the passenger/crew cabin door handle mounting platform structure for cracks, and, if found cracked, replacing with a structure of improved design as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the inability to open the passenger/crew door because of a cracked internal handle mounting platform structure, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in passenger injury if emergency evacuation was needed.

Final rule

95-02-05 JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LIMITED: Amendment 39-9123; Docket No. 94-CE- 16-AD.
Applicability: HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required upon the accumulation of 1,800 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished, and thereafter as indicated.

To prevent the inability to open the passenger/crew door because of a cracked internal handle mounting platform structure, which, if not detected and corrrected, could result in passenger injury if emergency evacuation was needed, accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect the passenger/crew door internal handle mounting platform structure for cracks in accordance with Part 1 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) 52-A-JA 930901, Revision 1, dated February 11, 1994.

(1) Ifany cracked structure is found, prior to further flight, replace the mounting platform structure with a new structure, part number 137450C23, in accordance with Part 2 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream SB 52-A-JA 930901, Revision 1, dated February 11, 1994.

(2) If no cracks are found, reinspect the mounting platform structure at intervals not to exceed 1,800 hours TIS until a part number 137450C23 mounting platform structure is installed.

(b) The repetitive inspections required by this AD may be terminated upon installing a part number 137450C23 passenger/crew door internal handle mounting platform structure. This installation may be accomplished regardless of whether the existing structure is cracked.

(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) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.

NOTE: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Brussels ACO.

(e) The inspection and modification (if necessary) required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 52-A-JA 930901, Revision 1, dated February 11, 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 Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW Scotland; telephone (44-292) 79888; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC, 20041-6029. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 1995.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain JAL HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 13, 1994 (59 FR 51879). The action proposed to require repetitively inspecting the passenger/crew cabin door handle mounting platform structure for cracks, and, if found cracked, replacing with a structure of improved design as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The proposed actions would be accomplished in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 52-A-JA 930901, Revision 1, dated February 11, 1994.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

After careful review of all available information, the FAA has determined thatair safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD nor add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 165 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,075. This figure does not take into account any possible passenger/crew door internal handle mounting platform structure replacements nor repetitive inspections. The FAA has no way of determining how many of these structures may have cracks or the number of repetitive inspections each owner/operator may incur.

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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

Section 39.13 - [AMENDED]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows: