[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3968]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-49-AD; Amendment 39-8838; AD 94-04-18]

 

Airworthiness Directives: Beech Aircraft Corporation Models 34C, 
T34C, and T34C-1 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92-24-
01, which currently requires inspecting the elevator balance arm 
assemblies of certain Beech Aircraft Corporation Models 34C and T34C-1 
airplanes to ensure that sufficient welds exist to secure the balance 
weight tube to the attachment plate, and also requires replacing the 
assembly if insufficient welds are found. The Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) has determined that the existing AD should also 
apply to certain Beech Model T34C airplanes. This action retains the 
requirements of AD 92-24-01 and incorporates these Beech Model T34C 
airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
separation of an elevator balance arm assembly from the elevator 
because of an insufficient weld, which could result in loss of control 
of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 12, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of Beech Service Bulletin No. 2442, 
dated May 1992, was previously approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of December 15, 1992.
    The incorporation by reference of Beech Service Bulletin No. 2442, 
Revision 1, dated September 1993, is approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of April 12, 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. This information may also be examined at the 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. Larry Engler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4122; 
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 34C, T34C, and T34C-1 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on November 1, 1993 (58 FR 58310). The action proposed to 
supersede AD 92-24-01 with a new AD that would (1) retain the 
requirements for the Models 34C and T34C-1 airplanes of inspecting the 
balance arm assemblies to ensure that sufficient welds exist to secure 
the balance weight tube to the attachment plate, and replacing any 
balance arm assemblies with insufficient welds; and (2) incorporate the 
Model T34C airplanes into the effectivity of that AD. The proposed 
inspections would be accomplished in accordance with Beech Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 2442, dated May 1992, or Beech SB No. 2442, Revision 
1, dated September 1993. The balance arm assembly replacement, if 
required, would be accomplished in accordance with the applicable 
maintenance manual.
    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 of all available information, 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 495 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $54,450. AD 
92-24-01, which will be superseded by this AD, currently requires the 
same actions for 142 of the affected airplanes. This AD requires these 
inspections for an additional 353 airplanes, assuming that none of the 
airplane operators of these 353 airplanes have already inspected the 
elevator balance arm assemblies. Based on the above information, the 
cost impact of this AD is $38,830 over that already required by AD 92-
24-01.
    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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 92-24-01, Amendment 39-
8406, and adding the following new AD to read as follows:

94-04-18 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8838; Docket No. 
93-CE-49-AD. Supersedes AD 92-24-01, Amendment 39-8406.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Models                            Serial numbers          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
34C................................  GP-1 through GP-50;                
T34C...............................  GL-1 through GL-353;               
T34C-1.............................  GM-1 through GM-71 and GM-78       
                                      through GM-98.                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished 
(compliance with AD 92-24-01).
    To prevent separation of an elevator balance arm assembly from 
the elevator because of insufficient welds, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect each elevator balance arm assembly to ensure that 
sufficient welds exist to secure the balance weight tube to the 
attachment plate. Perform this inspection in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of either Beech Service Bulletin 
No. 2442, dated May 1992, or Beech Service Bulletin No. 2442, 
Revision 1, dated September 1993.
    (b) If an insufficient weld is found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
replace the subject elevator balance arm assembly in accordance with 
chapter 27-30 of the applicable maintenance manual.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and FAR 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: 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 required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with either Beech Service Bulletin No. 2442, dated May 
1992, or Beech Service Bulletin No. 2442, Revision 1, dated 
September 1993. The incorporation by reference of Beech Service 
Bulletin No. 2442, dated May 1992, was previously approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of December 15, 1992. The 
incorporation by reference of Beech Service Bulletin No. 2442, 
Revision 1, dated September 1993 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. 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 (39-8838) supersedes AD 92-24-01, Amendment 
39-8406.
    (g) This amendment (39-8838) becomes effective on April 12, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 15, 1994.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3968 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]
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