AD 96-10-10

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Jetstream Model 4101 airplanes, that requires inspections of the handrail assembly at the main entrance door to detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the handrail pivot-tube. It also requires repair or replacement of the assembly, if necessary, and provides for two optional terminating actions. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that fatigue cracks and loose rivets were found on the handrail assembly of the main passenger entrance door on an in-service airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent these conditions, which can lead to the failure of the door handrail assembly; such failure could allow the door to fall free and subsequently cause injury to people on the airplane or on the ground.

Final rule

96-10-10 JETSTREAM: Amendment 39-9617. Docket 95-NM-95-AD.
Applicability: Model 4101 airplanes; equipped with handrail assembly, Part No. 6020203 Issue C, with Modification No. JM41179 (reference Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-009); 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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) 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 failure of the entrance door handrail assembly, which subsequently could result in injury to passengers, flightcrew, or groundcrew, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 50 landings after the effective date of this AD, conduct a detailed visual inspection of the handrail assembly at the main entrance door to detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the handrail pivot-tube, in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994.

(b) If no cracks or other discrepancies are detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service.

(c) If evidence of any loose or missing rivet is revealed, or if abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly is detected, as a result of any of the inspections required by this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish the procedures specified in paragraph 2.B.(4) of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service.

(d) If evidence of cracking is revealed as a result of any of the inspections required by this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), or (d)(3) of this AD:

(1) Install a new handrail assembly, Part No. 6020203 Issue C standard, as specified in paragraph 2.B.(5)(d) of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. After installation, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time-in-service. Or

(2) Install the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly (Customer Option Kit. No. Jk42619) in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. Such installation constitutes terminating action for the inspections required by this AD. Or

NOTE 2: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619 refers to Flight Refuelling Service Bulletin 6020303-52-1 for additional installation information.

(3) Install the structural improvements of the door and door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, dated February 11, 1994. Such installation constitutes terminating action for the inspections required by this AD.

NOTE 3: Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025 refers to Flight Refuelling Service Bulletin 6020303-52-2 for additional installation information.

(e) Terminating action for the inspections required by this AD consists of installation of the item(s) specified in either paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD:

(1) Installation of the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly (Customer Option Kit. No. Jk42619) in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. Or

(2) Installation of the structural improvements of the door and door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, dated February 11, 1994.

(f) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(g) 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.

(h) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41-A52-036, dated June 13, 1994. The interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-041-42619, dated June 13, 1994. The installation of the structural improvements of the door and door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin J41-52-025, 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, 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.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on June 18, 1996.

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 November 24, 1995 (60 FR 58023). That action proposed to require inspections of the handrail assembly at the main entrance door to detect loose or missing rivets, abnormal movement between the handrail pivot-tube and the spigot that attaches to the bearing assembly, and cracks on the handrail pivot-tube. It also proposed to require repair or replacement of the assembly, if necessary. The proposal also provided for two optional terminating actions.

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

Support for the Proposal
Two commenters support the proposal.

Request to Withdraw the Proposal as Unnecessary
One commenter requests that the proposal be withdrawn. This commenter, the only U.S. operator affected by the requirements of the proposed rule, states that it is currently in the process of accomplishing the terminating actions on all of its affected airplanes. Its schedule calls for the terminating action to be accomplished on all of these airplanes by the time the final rule would become effective. In light of this, the commenter maintains that an AD is unnecessary and the proposal should be withdrawn.

The FAA does not concur. While the operator's fleet may be the only airplanes currently on the U.S. Register that would be affected by the AD, there is the possibility that other airplanes of this same type design may be imported in the future and placed on the Register. Without this AD, there would be no assurance that the unsafe condition was addressed on those airplanes. For this reason, the FAA finds that the issuance of the final rule is both necessary and warranted.

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

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 4 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. To accomplish the inspections, it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.

This cost impact figure 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. However, the FAA has been advised that the terminating actions provided by this rule have been accomplished on all 4 affected U.S.-registered airplanes. Therefore, the promulgation of this AD will impose no new additional costs on U.S. operators.

Should an operator elect to accomplish one of the two terminating actions provided by this AD, the following costs would apply:

Installation of the interim reinforcement of the handrail assembly takes approximately 4.5 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor charge of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this optional action is $270 per airplane, plus the cost of necessary parts.

Installation of the structural improvements of the door and door support, and the completely redesigned door handrail assembly, takes approximately 10 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor charge of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this optional action is $600 per airplane, plus the cost of necessary parts.

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 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), 40113, 44701.

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