[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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