[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7919-7920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3359]



 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules  
[[Page 7919]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 91-24-15, which currently requires modifying the instrument air 
plumbing system on Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech) Models 1900 and 
1900C airplanes. The proposed action would require an additional 
modification to the plumbing of the instrument air system on the Models 
1900 and 1900C airplanes, and would add the Model 1900D airplanes to 
the applicability. Eight reports of moisture freezing in this system on 
airplanes with the modification required by AD 91-24-15 incorporated 
prompted the proposed action. In addition, recent testing on the Model 
1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air system on these 
airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent ice formation in 
the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from the Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket 
at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Harvey E. Nero, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4137; facsimile (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 should 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 that summarizes 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 No. 94-CE-31-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, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173 (57 FR 3927, February 3, 1992), 
currently requires modifying the plumbing of the instrument air system 
on Beech Models 1900 and 1900C airplanes. Several reports of moisture 
freezing in the plumbing of the instrument air system on the affected 
airplanes prompted that AD.
    Since issuance of AD 91-24-15, the FAA has received eight reports 
of moisture freezing in the plumbing of the instrument air system on 
airplanes in compliance with that AD. In addition, recent testing on 
the Beech Model 1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air 
systems on these airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups.
    Beech has developed kits that, upon installation, make plumbing 
changes in the instrument air system, add additional insulation, and 
make wing leading edge core modifications. Installation of the 
applicable kit on an affected airplane will maintain the air 
temperatures in the instrument air system at 50 degrees or higher, and 
help eliminate the possibility of moisture freezing in this system in 
cold humid environments. The following presents each kit and the 
applicable airplane model each kit applies to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Models                              Kit No.             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900 and 1900C.......................  118-9003-1 or 118-9003-3.        
1900D................................  129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3.        
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent ice formation in 
the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of 
control of the airplane.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Beech Model 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes 
of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 91-24-15, 
Amendment 39-8173, with a new AD that would require modifying the 
plumbing of the [[Page 7920]] instrument air system in accordance with 
the instructions provided with the kits specified above.
    The FAA estimates that 370 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 30 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. The cost of the 
applicable kit ranges from $505 to $2,261 depending on the airplane 
model. Based on these figures (using a $2,261 part cost for all 
affected airplanes), the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,502,570.
    Beech will provide parts free of charge until December 31, 1995. If 
all owners/operators would incorporate this modification by that date, 
then the cost impact of the proposed AD upon the public would be 
reduced by $836,570 (370 airplanes  x  $2,261) from $1,502,570 to 
$666,000.
    In addition, Beech has informed the FAA that it has distributed 
approximately 18 kits. Assuming that each of these distributed kits is 
incorporated on one of the affected airplanes and that each of the 
remaining airplanes would have one of the kits incorporated by December 
31, 1995, the cost of the proposed AD would be further reduced by 
$32,400 (30 workhours  x  $60  x  18 airplanes) from $666,000 to 
$633,600.
    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 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) 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 has been placed 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 removing AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-
8173 (57 FR 3927, February 3, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness 
directive to read as follows:

Beech Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD; Supersedes AD 
91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Model                              Serial No.             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900.............................  UA-2 and UA-3.                       
1900C............................  UB-1 through UB-74 and UC-1 through  
                                    UC-174.                             
1900C (C12J).....................  UD-1 through UD-6.                   
1900D............................  UE-2 through UE-115.                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent ice formation in the plumbing of the instrument air 
system, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the plumbing of the instrument air system in 
accordance with the instructions provided with the following kits, 
as applicable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Models                              Kit No.               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900 and 1900C...................  118-9003-1 or 118-9003-3.            
1900D............................  129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3.            
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2539 and Beech SB No. 
2591, both dated December 1994, reference the kits specified above.

    Note 2: Beech will provide parts free of charge to the owner/
operator until December 31, 1995.

    (b) 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.
    (c) 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), 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 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.

    (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to the Beech Aircraft 
Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine 
this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106.
    (e) This amendment supersedes AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 1995.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-3359 Filed 2-9-95; 8:45 am]
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