AD 99-06-12 Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

Models named: 3101, 3201. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category; that incorporate the following: Steering Jack Type: 618200. Nose Gear Type: 1873, B00A702852A, B00A703056A; or B00A703064A. 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 (d) 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.

Required within the next 9 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent the nose landing gear steering from locking up due to deterioration of the original design nose landing gear steering jack seals, which could result in reduced or [[Page 13328]] loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, and taxi operations, accomplish the following: (a) Replace the nose wheel steering jack seals with seals of improved design, in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32- JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 1990, Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998, and the instructions in APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-51, which incorporates the following pages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pages Revision level Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 and 2....................... Revision 5....... April 1996. 3............................. Original Issue... January 1993. 4, 5, and 6................... Revision 4....... October 1993. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any of the affected airplanes, any landing gear steering jack seal that is not of the improved design referenced in the service information specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, or an FAA- approved equivalent. (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, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate. (e) Questions or technical information related to the service information referenced in this document should be directed to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland; telephone: (01292) 479888; facsimile: (01292) 479703. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (f) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA900942 (Original Issue: October 22, 1990), Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998, and APPH Ltd. Service Bulletin 32-51, Revision 5, dated April 1996, which incorporates the following pages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pages Revision level Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 and 2....................... Revision 5....... April 1996. 3............................. Original Issue... January 1993. 4, 5, and 6................... Revision 4....... October 1993. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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, Prestwick International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in British Aerospace Jetstream Service Bulletin 32-JA900942, Original Issue: October 22, 1990, Revision No. 5: September 4, 1998. This service bulletin is classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 26, 1999. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 1999. Marvin R. Nuss, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-6100 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P