[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42996-42997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21008]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-255-AD; Amendment 39-9719; AD 96-17-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 
2000 Airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 300, and B300 Series Airplanes

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

Action: Final rule.

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Summary: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Beech Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 2000 
airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 300, and B300 series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves. 
This amendment is prompted by a report of cracking and subsequent 
failure of outflow safety valves in the pressurization system. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such cracking and 
subsequent failure of the outflow/safety valves, which could result in 
rapid decompression of the airplane.

Dates: Effective September 24, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 24, 1996.

Addresses: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, Technical Publications, Dept. 65-
70, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2170. This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

For Further Information Contact: Walter Eierman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (310) 627-5336; fax (310) 627-5210.

Supplementary Information: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Beech Model 400, 400A, MU-
300-10, and 2000 airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 300, and B300 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 1996 (61 
FR 16416). That action proposed to require replacement of certain 
discrepant outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. 
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 150 Beech Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 
2000 airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 300, and B300 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 105 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 12 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
The parts manufacturer has advised that it will provide replacement 
parts at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $75,600, or $720 per 
airplane.

[[Page 42997]]

    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-17-10  Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9719. Docket 95-
NM-255-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 2000 airplanes, 
Model 200 and B200 series airplanes having a maximum altitude 
capability of greater than 31,000 feet, and Model 300 and B300 
series airplanes; equipped with AlliedSignal outflow/safety valves, 
as identified in AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletins 103570-21-
4012 and 103648-21-4022, both Revision 1, both dated May 30, 1995; 
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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cracking and subsequent failure of the outflow/safety 
valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the outflow/safety valve in accordance with AlliedSignal 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012 (for airplanes equipped 
with valves having part number 103570-25, 103570-26, or 103570-27), 
or 103648-21-4022 (for airplanes equipped with valves having part 
number 103648-1, 103648-3, 103648-4, 103648-5, 103648-6, 103648-7, 
or 103648-13), both Revision 1, both dated May 30, 1995, as 
applicable.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an outflow/safety valve, having a part number and serial number 
identified in AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012 
(for airplanes equipped with valves having part number 103570-25, 
103570-26, or 103570-27), or 103648-21-4022 (for airplanes equipped 
with valves having part number 103648-1, 103648-3, 103648-4, 103648-
5, 103648-6, 103648-7, or 103648-13), both Revision 1, both dated 
May 30, 1995, on any airplane unless that valve is considered to be 
serviceable in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
    (c) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 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, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with 
AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, or 103648-
21-4022, both Revision 1, both dated May 30, 1995. This 
incorporation by 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 AlliedSignal Aerospace, Technical 
Publications, Dept. 65-70, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-
2170. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 24, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 12, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21008 Filed 8-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U