[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5936]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-18-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400A and 400T (Military T-
1A) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T 
(military T-1A) airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection of 
certain flap roller retention components to detect discrepant or 
missing parts, and replacement of discrepant or missing parts; and 
installation of new washers on the roller attach bolts. This proposal 
is prompted by reports of undersized tabs on some lock washers, and 
tabs or inner tangs missing from the washers installed on the flap 
roller bolts. Such discrepancies defeat the locking function of the tab 
washer, and could result in loss of the nut and flap roller. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of 
the main or aft flap surface and subsequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 9, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-18-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. This information may be examined 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Engler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-120W, 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-18-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-18-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report that, during investigation of flap 
roll problems on Beech Model 400T (military T-1A) airplanes, lock 
washer inner tabs were missing from the washers installed on the flap 
roller bolts. Subsequent investigation of production aircraft revealed 
that, in addition to missing tabs, undersized inner tabs were found on 
some lock washers. In addition, the FAA has received a report that the 
locking tab washers may be missing an inner tang, which is designed to 
engage the keyway in the bolt. Absence of this tang defeats the locking 
function of the tab washer, and could result in loss of the nut and 
flap roller. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
the main or aft flap surface and subsequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane.
    Model 400A airplanes are similar in design to Model 400T (military 
T-1A) airplanes and, therefore, also are subject to the addressed 
unsafe condition.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved Beech Service Bulletin No. 2522, 
dated January 1994, that describes procedures for an inspection of 
certain flap roller retention components to detect discrepant or 
missing parts, and replacement of discrepant or missing parts with new 
or serviceable parts; and installation of new washers, tab washers, and 
flat washers on the roller attach bolts. Installation of these new 
components will ensure the locking function of the tab washer and the 
structural integrity of the flap roller.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require an inspection of certain flap roller 
retention components to detect discrepant or missing parts, and 
replacement of discrepant or missing parts with new or serviceable 
parts; and installation of new washers, tab washers, and flat washers 
on the roller attach bolts. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    There are approximately 122 Model Beech 400A and 400T (military T-
1A) airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 102 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is 
$55 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $100 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $55,080, or $540 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 draft 
regulatory 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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:

Beech Aircraft Corporation: Docket 94-NM-18-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-1 through 
RK-79 inclusive; and Model 400T (military T-1A) airplanes, serial 
numbers TT-1 through TT-42 inclusive, and TT-44; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of the main or aft flap surface and subsequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 200 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) 
of this AD in accordance with Beech Service Bulletin No. 2522, dated 
January 1994.
    (1) Perform an inspection of the flap roller retention 
components to detect discrepant or missing parts; and, prior to 
further flight, replace any discrepant or missing part with a new or 
serviceable part.
    (2) Install new washers, new tab washers, and new flat washers 
on the roller attach bolts.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a bolt, part number 45A97115-1 or 45A97115-51; or a tab washer, part 
number 168AS-06-2; on any airplane unless the requirements of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD have been accomplished on that bolt or 
tab washer.
    (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 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5936 Filed 3-14-94; 8:45 am]
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