AD 99-21-12

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, that requires a one-time visual inspection of the conduit pipe for distortion or repairs, and replacement of the conduit pipe with a new pipe, if necessary. This amendment also requires replacement of the cable assemblies to the fuel standby pumps with new cable assemblies that have improved sheathing protection. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing due to damaged fuel standby pump cable assemblies and conduit pipes, which could create a possible ignition source, and consequent fire hazard.

Final rule

99-21-12 BRITISH AEROSPACE REGIONAL AIRCRAFT [Formerly Jetstream Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Limited]: Amendment 39-11356. Docket 99-NM-115-AD. Issued September 29, 1999.
Applicability: All Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, 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 proposedactions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent electrical arcing due to damaged fuel standby pump cable assemblies and conduit pipes, which could create a possible ignition source, and consequent fire hazard, accomplish the following:

Corrective Actions
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following actions required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-28-010, Revision 1, dated September 7, 1999.

(1) Perform a one-time visual inspection of the conduit pipe (left and right), which carries the fuel standby pump cable assembly into the dry bay of the wing, for distortion (i.e., damage) or repairs. If any distortion or repair is found, prior to further flight, replace the conduit pipe with a new pipe, part number 14128032-403 (left) or part number 14128032-405 (right).(2) Replace fuel standby pump cable assemblies (left and right) with new cable assemblies, part number F5-71-1.

NOTE 2: Inspections or replacements that have been accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-28-010, dated April 5, 1999, are considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified by this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International Branch, ANM-116.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits
(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.

Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-28-010, Revision 1, dated September 7, 1999. 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 British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. 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.

NOTE 4: Thesubject of this AD is addressed in British airworthiness directive 005-04-99.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.

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 all British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 1999 (64 FR 38157). That action proposed to require a one-time visual inspection of the conduit pipe for distortion or repairs, and replacement of the conduit pipe with a new pipe, if necessary. That action also proposed to require replacement of the cable assemblies to the fuel standby pumps with new cable assemblies that have improved sheathing protection.

Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA s determination of the cost to the public.

Correction of Manufacturer's Title
The FAA has been informed that the title of the manufacturer has changed. The FAA has made this change in the final rule.

New Service Information
Since issuance of the proposed AD, the FAA has reviewed and approved Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-28-010, Revision 1, September 7, 1999. This new revision is essentially the same as the original issue of the service bulletin, which was cited in the proposed AD as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the actions required. However, Revision 1 changes the part number of a crimping tool. The FAA has determined that the inspection and corrective actions required by paragraph (a) of the final rule may be accomplished in accordance with either of those service bulletins. The final rule has been revised accordingly.

Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 16 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 cost impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $56,640, or $960 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

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.

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 meby 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: