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