Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Model HS 748 Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all British Aerospace Model HS 748 airplanes. This AD requires installing a baulking actuator system for the elevator gust lock; doing a functional test and an inspection of any previously installed baulking actuator system for wiring errors; doing repetitive inspections of the gust lock baulk lever for correct operation; and corrective action, if necessary. This AD results from incidents where an elevator gust lock re-engaged without input from the flightcrew, and may have caused a flight control restriction. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded re- engagement of the elevator gust lock, which could result in restriction of the elevator's movement and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.