[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36972-36974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17674]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD; Amendment 39-9294; AD 95-14-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation Models 1900,
1900C, and 1900D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes 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. This action requires an additional modification to the
plumbing of the instrument air system on the Models 1900 and 1900C
airplanes, and adds 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 this 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 this 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: Effective August 31, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 31, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85,
[[Page 36973]]
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information may also be examined at
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 94-CE-31-AD, 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. 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply
to certain Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published
in the Federal Register on February 10, 1995 (60 FR 7919). The action
proposed to supersede AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173, with a new AD
that would require modifying the plumbing of the instrument air system.
Accomplishment of the proposed action would 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the one comment received on the proposal.
The commenter states that no benefit would be derived by issuing
the AD and that the action is for the sake of change making general
aviation more costly and burdensome without any significant safety
improvements. The FAA does not concur. As specified in the proposal,
the FAA has received eight reports of moisture freezing in the plumbing
of the instrument air system on Models 1900 and 1900C airplanes, and
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. The FAA has determined that 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 AD is unchanged as a result of the
comment.
After careful review of all available information related to this
issue including the comment presented above, 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 and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed.
The FAA estimates that 370 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 30 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,502,570. This figure is
based upon the assumption that no affected airplane owner/operator has
accomplished the required modification.
Beech will provide parts free of charge until December 31, 1995. If
all owners/operators incorporate this modification by that date, then
the cost impact of this 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 this AD would be further reduced by $32,400 (30
workhours x $60 x 18 airplanes) from $666,000 to $633,600.
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 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, and adding a new AD to read as follows:
95-14-02 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9294; 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 Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition
[[Page 36974]]
addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification,
alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of
this AD.
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 2: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2539 and Beech SB No.
2591, both dated December 1994, reference the kits specified above.
Note 3: 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
sections 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(d) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with the instructions provided with either Beech Kit No.
118-9003-1, No. 118-9003-3, No. 129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3, as
applicable, and as specified in Beech Service Bulletin No. 2539 and
Beech Service Bulletin No. 2591, both dated December 1994. This
incorporation be reference 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., 7th Floor,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment (39-9294) supersedes AD 91-24-15, Amendment
39-8173.
(f) This amendment (39-9294) becomes effective on August 31,
1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 22, 1995.
Gerald W. Pierce,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17674 Filed 7-18-95; 8:45 am]
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