[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 135 (Friday, July 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17195]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-77-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Corporate Jets Model BAe 125-
1000A and Hawker 1000 Series 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 Raytheon Corporate Jets Model BAe 
125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
installation of additional vent areas in the central fuselage. This 
proposal is prompted by an analysis which indicated that an explosive 
decompression could not be vented adequately with the currently-
installed floor venting system on these airplanes. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent collapse of the 
floor and subsequent injury to passengers and crew in the event of an 
explosive decompression of the fuselage.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-77-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Raytheon Corporate Jets, Inc., Customer Support 
Department, Adams Field, P.O. Box 3356, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1112; fax (206) 227-1100.

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-77-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-77-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Raytheon Corporate Jets Model BAe 
125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes. The CAA advises that an 
analysis was recently conducted which indicates that, due to the 
configuration of the floor venting system currently installed on these 
airplanes, an explosive decompression could not be adequately vented. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the collapse of the 
floor and subsequent injury to passengers and crew in the event of an 
explosive decompression of the fuselage.
    Hawker-Raytheon Corporate Jets has issued Service Bulletin SB.53-
76-3627A, dated February 25, 1994, which describes procedures for 
installing Modification 253627A. This modification entails adding two 
holes to the underfloor diaphragm at Frame 10D. This will increase the 
vent areas by 4 sq. in.
    Hawker-Raytheon Corporate Jets has also issued Service Bulletin 
SB.53-81-3661B, dated February 25, 1994, which describes procedures for 
installing Modification 253661B. This modification entails removing the 
fiberglass floor fill cover located outboard of the floor panels 
between Frames 8 and 10D, right-hand. It also entails enlarging the 
existing lightening holes in the right-hand seat rail web between 
Frames 10B and 10D, adding a third hole to increase the vent area, and 
installing a new reinforcing plate. The manufacturer recommends that 
this modification be installed concurrently with Modification 253627A.
    The CAA classified these service bulletins as mandatory in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the United 
Kingdom.
    This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined 
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require installation of 
Modifications 253627A and 253661B. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 34 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $35,350, or $1,870 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 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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:

Raytheon Corporate Jets [formerly British Aerospace plc]: Docket 94-
NM-77-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent collapse of the floor and subsequent injury to 
passengers and crew in the event of an explosive decompression of 
the fuselage, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install Modification 253627A in accordance with Hawker-Raytheon 
Service Bulletin SB.53-76-3627A, dated February 25, 1994; and 
install Modification 253661B in accordance with Hawker-Raytheon 
Service Bulletin SB.53-81-3661B, dated February 25, 1994. These 
modifications shall be installed concurrently.
    (b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport 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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
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 July 11, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17195 Filed 7-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U