[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]
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