AD 96-03-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Jetstream ATP airplanes, that requires inspections to detect fatigue cracking and corrosion in the gussets of the rear passenger door and rear baggage door apertures, and replacement of the gussets, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by fatigue tests which indicated that fatigue cracking and corrosion can occur in these gussets. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent degradation of the structural integrity of the fuselage pressure vessel due to the problems associated with cracking and corrosion in the gussets of the rear passenger door and rear baggage door apertures.

Final rule

96-03-06 JETSTREAM AIRCRAFT LIMITED (Formerly British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft, Ltd.): Amendment 39-9503. Docket 94-NM-238-AD.
Applicability: Model ATP airplanes; having serial numbers 2002 through 2012 inclusive; and 2019 through 2022 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 (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 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 degradation of the structural integrity of the fuselage pressure vessel due to the problems associated with cracking and corrosion in the gussets of the rear passenger door and rear baggage door apertures, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings or within 1,500 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect cracks and corrosion of the gussets of the rear passenger door aperture, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-53-29, dated October 31, 1994.

(1) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, replace the gusset in accordance with the service bulletin.(2) If any corrosion is found, prior to further flight, either replace the gusset in accordance with the service bulletin, or repair the gusset in accordance with the Structural Repair Manual, chapter 53-10-12.

(b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total landings or within 1,500 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect cracks and corrosion of the gussets of the rear baggage door aperture, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin ATP-53-29, dated October 31, 1994.

(1) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, replace the gusset in accordance with the service bulletin.

(2) If any corrosion is found, prior to further flight, either replace the gusset in accordance with the service bulletin, or repair the gusset in accordance with the Structural Repair Manual, chapter 53-10-12.

(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 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.

(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 ATP-53-29, dated October 31, 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 March 13, 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 ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 13, 1995 (60 FR 53312). That action proposed to require a one-time detailed visual inspection for fatigue cracking and corrosion in the gussets of the rear passenger door and the rear baggage door apertures. That action also proposed replacement of cracked gussets, and either replacement or repair of corroded gussets.

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.

TheFAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,800, or $480 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.

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 part39) 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: