[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-829]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-136-AD; Amendment 39-8779; AD 93-25-15]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400A and 400T Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T airplanes, that 
requires inspection of the rivets in the escape hatch substructure to 
verify that the proper rivets are installed, and replacement of the 
incorrect rivets with new rivets or fasteners. This amendment is 
prompted by the discovery that, during production, incorrect rivets may 
have been installed in the escape hatch substructure. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural 
capability of the airframe.

DATES: Effective February 14, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 
Airport Road, room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Engler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ACE-140W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4122; fax 
(316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on September 13, 1993 (58 FR 47839). That 
action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the rivets in the 
escape hatch substructure to verify that the proper rivets are 
installed, and replacement of the incorrect rivets with new rivets or 
fasteners.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. 
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    There are approximately 94 Beech Model 400A and 400T airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 78 
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 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $400 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $65,520, or $840 per airplane. This total cost figure assumes 
that no operator has yet accomplished the requirements of this AD.
    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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

93-25-15 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8779. Docket 93-
NM-136-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400A airplanes having serial numbers RK-1 
through RK-57 inclusive, RK-59, RK-60, and RK-62 through RK-66 
inclusive; and Model 400T airplanes having serial numbers TT-02 
through TT-30 inclusive, and TT-32; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural capability of the airframe, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 200 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the rivets in the escape hatch substructure to 
verify that the proper rivets are installed in accordance with 
Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 1993.
    (1) If the rivet is part number (P/N) MS20470E6, no further 
action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the rivet is not P/N MS20470E6, prior to further flight, 
replace the rivet with a new Cherry Max rivet or a HI-LOK fastener, 
in accordance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 
1993.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any rivet having P/N MS20470AD5 in the location shown in Figure 1 of 
Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 1993, on any airplane.
    (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, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Small 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, Wichita ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 1993. (Note: The 
issue date of Service Bulletin 2509 is indicated only on page 1 of 
the document; no other page of this document is dated.) 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 Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 
85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 14, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 1993.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-829 Filed 01-12-94; 8:45 am]
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