DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0395; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1,
Jetstream Series 200 and 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes that
would supersede AD 97-10-05. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as cracks in the main landing gear (MLG) fitting at the
pintle to cylinder interface, which could cause failure of the MLG
during takeoff and landing. We are issuing this proposed AD to require
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 12, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For the British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 service
information identified in this proposed AD, contact BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd, Business Support Team-Technical Publications,
Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland, United
Kingdom; phone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
RApublications@baesystems.com; Internet: https://www.regional-services.
com/spares_and_support/support/aircraft-technical-publications/. For the
Heroux Devtek service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Heroux Devtek Product Support, Unit 1, Pembroke Court, Chancellor Road,
Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1TG, England; phone: +44 01928 530530;
fax: +44 01928 579454; email: technical_support@herouxdevtek.com; Internet:
http://www.herouxdevtek.com/aog-product-support. You may review copies of
the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availabil-
ity of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0395;
or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.
rudolph@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2017-0395;
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-011-AD" at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

On December 9, 1996, we issued AD 97-10-05, Amendment 39-10017 (62
FR 28318; May 23, 1997) ("AD 97-10-05"). That AD required actions
intended to address an unsafe condition on British Aerospace Regional
Aircraft Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200 and 3101,
and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes and was based on mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2017-0053, dated March 24, 2017 (referred to after this as "the
MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:

Cracks were found during early fatigue testing and in service on
the main landing gear (MLG) main fitting at the pintle to cylinder
interface.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
structural failure of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control
of the aeroplane during take-off or landing runs.

To address this unsafe condition, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd
published several Service Bulletins (SB) which, in 1996, were
consolidated into a single SB 32-JA960142 to provide instructions
for inspection. CAA UK issued AD 005-03-96 accordingly to require
repetitive inspections of the MLG.

Recently, a crack was found which was below the critical crack
length, but unusually large compared to other similar cracks
previously found in service. Further investigation into the subject
determined that the existing inspection interval remains valid, but
also showed that the assumed detectable defect size of 1.27 mm (0.05
in) crack cannot be guaranteed using the current accomplishment
instructions for high frequency eddy current (HFEC) or fluorescent
dye penetrant (FDP) inspection.

Consequently, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued SB 32-JA960142
Revision 04, which provides improved procedures for HFEC and FDP
inspection to ensure the detection of cracks of 1.27 mm (0.05 in).

For the reason described above, the [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of CAA UK AD 005-03-96, which is superseded, and
requires accomplishment of repetitive inspections in accordance with
the improved procedures.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0395.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed British Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200
Service Bulletin 32-JA960142, Revision No. 4, October 21, 2016, which
describes procedures for doing non-destructive testing for cracks in
the MLG and corrective actions if cracks found exceed a certain crack
length. (The appendix to the service bulletin specifically describes
fluorescent liquid penetrant testing.) We reviewed Heroux Devtek
Service Bulletin 32-56, Revision 4, dated August 16, 2016, which
describes procedures for doing a non-destructive testing eddy current
inspection for cracks in the MLG. This service information is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 26 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $13,260, or $510 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $5,000, for a cost of
$5,085 per product. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. "Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs," describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
"Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-10017 (62 FR
28318; May 23, 1997), and adding the following new AD: