[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: 94-830]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-42-AD; Amendment 39-8782; AD 94-01-01]

 

Airworthiness Directives: Beech Aircraft Corporation Models B300 
and B300C Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech ) Models B300 and 
B300C airplanes that do not have all cabin seats modified through the 
incorporation of Beech Kit No. 303-307. This action requires inspecting 
the cabin seat frames for cracks, repairing any cracks, and modifying 
the cabin seat frames by incorporating the kit referenced above. 
Inspection of affected in-service airplanes reveals cracking of these 
cabin seats around the welded-in bushings. The bearing shafts, which 
retain the seat frame and belted occupant, are bolted to the frame 
through these bushings. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent separation of the seat from its base caused by cracks around 
the welded-in bushings, which, in the event of an accident, could 
result in occupant injury.

DATES: Effective February 11, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085, or Tosington Enterprises Inc., 2261 Madera Road, Simi 
Valley, California. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Don Campbell, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4128; facsimile (316) 946-
4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an AD that would apply to certain Beech 
Models B300 and B300C airplanes that do not have all cabin seats 
modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit 303-307 was published 
in the Federal Register on September 10, 1993 (58 FR 47678). The action 
proposed to require inspecting the cabin seat frames for cracks, 
repairing any cracks, and modifying the cabin seat frames by 
incorporating Beech Kit No. 303-307. The proposed actions would be 
accomplished in accordance with either Beech SB No. 2443 or Tosington 
SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    After careful review, the FAA has determined that air safety and 
the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except 
for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these 
minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD nor add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 79 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 45 workhours per 
airplane (5 hours per seat  x  9 seats per airplane) to accomplish the 
required action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $55 
an hour. Parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
airplane operator. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $195,525. This figure is 
based on the assumption that none of the affected airplanes operators 
have accomplished the required action.
    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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting 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.


Section 39.13  [Amended]

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

94-01-01 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8782; Docket No. 
93-CE-43-AD.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that do not have all nine (9) cabin 
seats modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit No. 303-307: 

                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Model                            Serial numbers           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B300.............................  FL-1 through FL-76.                  
B300C............................  FM-1, FM-2, and FM-3.                
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) 2443 and Tosington 
Enterprises Inc. (Tosington) SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, 
specify procedures for determining whether Beech Kit No. 303-307 is 
installed on a cabin seat frame.

    Compliance: Required within the next 150 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent separation of the seat from its base caused by cracks 
around the welded-in bushings, which, in the event of an accident, 
could result in occupant injury, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect each cabin seat for cracks in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of either Beech SB 2443 or 
Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable. If any 
crack is found, prior to further flight, repair the crack in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin referenced above.

    Note 2: Each cabin seat has a placard on the lower seat frame 
that specifies whether the seat is manufactured by Gordon-Piatt 
Energy Group (Beech SB No. 2443) or Tosington Enterprises Inc. 
(Tosington SB No. 001).

    (b) Modify the cabin seat frames by incorporating Beech Kit No. 
303-307 in accordance with the actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of either Beech SB 2443 or 
Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable.
    (c) 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.
    (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, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office ACO), 
FAA, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request 
should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and send it to the Manager, Wichita 
ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with either Beech Service Bulletin 2443 or 
Tosington Service Bulletin No. 001, both dated July 1993, as 
applicable. 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 the Beech Aircraft 
Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085, or Tosington 
Enterprises Inc., 2261 Madera Road, Simi Valley, California 93065. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief 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.
    (f) This amendment (39-8782) becomes effective on February 11, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1993.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Office.
[FR Doc. 94-830 Filed 1-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U