[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 246 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66527-66529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31189]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-142-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-800A and 
Hawker 800 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 certain Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 
125-800A and Hawker 800 series airplanes. This proposal would require a 
detailed visual inspection of the fuel feed hose assemblies of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) to detect overheating, degradation, proper 
routing, and adequate clearance; and the correction of any 
discrepancies found. This proposal is prompted by reports of heat 
damage to the fuel feed hose assembly of the APU due to contact between 
the hose assembly and hot surfaces. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent such heat damage, which could lead 
to a possible fire/smoke hazard when failure of the hose assembly 
occurs and subsequent fuel mist or spray is emitted into the rear 
equipment bay.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-142-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 Aircraft Company, Manger Service Engineering, 
Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1149.

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. 

[[Page 66528]]

    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 95-NM-142-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. 95-NM-142-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 Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-
800A and Hawker 800 series airplanes. The CAA advises that it has 
received reports of heat damage to the fuel feed hose assembly of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU). The cause of such heat damage has been 
attributed to contact between the hose assembly and hot surfaces. This 
condition, if not corrected, could lead to a possible fire/smoke hazard 
if failure of the hose assembly occurs and fuel mist or spray is 
subsequently emitted into the rear equipment bay.
    The manufacturer has issued Service Bulletin SB. 49-45, dated May 
15, 1995. The service bulletin describes procedures for a detailed 
visual inspection to detect overheating or degradation of the hose 
assemblies; to verify proper routing of fuel feed hose assembly of the 
APU; and to verify if adequate clearance (0.5 inch) exists between the 
hose assembly and the left-hand mixer valve/main air valve assemblies 
and associated hot air ducting. The service bulletin also provides 
procedures for the correction of any discrepancies found during the 
inspection. The CAA classified this service bulletin 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 section 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, the 
proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection to detect 
overheating or degradation of the hose assemblies; to verify proper 
routing of fuel feed hose assembly of the APU; and to verify if 
adequate clearance (0.5 inch) exists between the hose assembly and the 
left-hand mixer valve/main air valve assemblies and associated hot air 
ducting. It also would require the correction of any discrepancies 
prior to further flight. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$8,400, or $120 per airplane.
    The 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Beech Aircraft Company (Raytheon Aircraft Company): Docket 95-NM-
142-AD.
    Applicability: Model BAe 125-800A (including military variants 
C-29A and U-125) and Hawker 800 series airplanes, constructor's 
numbers 8091 and subsequent; equipped with Turbomach auxiliary power 
unit (APU) (Modification 259404B); certificated in any category.

    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 (b) 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 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent heat damage to the fuel feed hose assemblies of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU), which could lead to a possible fire/
smoke hazard if failure of the hose assembly occurs and fuel mist or 
spray is subsequently emitted into the rear equipment bay, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 75 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection to detect overheating or degradation of 
the hose assemblies; to verify proper routing of fuel feed hose 
assembly of the auxiliary power unit (APU); and to verify if 
adequate clearance (0.5 inch) exists between the hose assembly 
(outlet from the fuel pump box of the APU) and the left-hand 

[[Page 66529]]
mixer valve/main air valve assemblies and associated hot air ducting; 
in accordance with Hawker Service Bulletin SB. 49-45, dated May 15, 
1995.
    (1) If no discrepancy is detected, no further action is required 
by this AD.
    (2) If any overheating or degradation is detected, prior to 
further flight, replace the hose assembly with a new assembly, 
ensuring proper clearance and routing exists, in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (3) If any hose assembly is improperly routed, prior to further 
flight, re-route the assembly maintaining proper clearance, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (4) If the clearance of the hose assembly is inadequate and the 
hose assembly is properly routed, prior to further flight, adjust 
the hose assembly to achieve the 0.5-inch clearance, in accordance 
with the service bulletin.
    (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 2: 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 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 18, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-31189 Filed 12-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U