[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46574-46576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22474]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-136-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-800A, 
Model Hawker 800, and Model Hawker 800XP 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, Model Hawker 800, and Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes. 
This proposal would require the filling of two tooling holes on the 
firewalls of the left and right engine pylons with sealant. This 
proposal is prompted by notification from the manufacturer that these 
holes were not sealed during production. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent an engine fire from moving to the 
fuselage and to the lines that carry flammable fluid that are located 
inboard of the firewall.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-136-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, Manager 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, or FAA, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4146; fax (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 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 46575]]

    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 96-NM-136-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. 96-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The manufacturer has notified the FAA that two, unused (open) 
tooling holes in the firewalls of the left and right engine pylons on 
certain Model BAe 125-800A, Model Hawker 800, and Model Hawker 800XP 
series airplanes were not sealed during production. This condition, if 
not corrected, compromises the integrity of the pylon firewall, and 
could allow an engine fire to move to the fuselage and to the lines 
that carry flammable fluid that are located inboard of the firewall.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.54-
1-3815B, dated March 26, 1996, which describes procedures for filling 
the two, unused tooling holes in the firewalls of the left and right 
engine pylons of Model BAe 125-800A and 800B, Model Hawker 800 
(including Special Variants C29A, U125 and U125A), and Model Hawker 
800XP series airplanes. These procedures involve the removal of access 
panels to the firewall, the application of sealant, and the 
reinstallation of the access panels.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require the filling of the two, unused (open) holes 
in the firewall of each engine pylon. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 286 Model BAe 125-800A, Model Hawker 800, 
and Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 170 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 
$20,400, 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Beech Aircraft Corporation (Formerly de Havilland; Hawker Siddeley; 
British Aerospace, plc; Raytheon Corporate Jets, Inc.): Docket 96-
NM-136-AD.

    Applicability: Model BAe 125-800A series airplanes, Model Hawker 
800 series airplanes including Special Variants (C29A, U125, and 
U125A), and Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes; on which the 
modification described in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.54-1-3815B, 
or a production equivalent, has not been installed; certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (b) 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.
    Note 2: Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-800B series airplanes are 
similar in design to the airplanes that are subject to the 
requirements of this AD and, therefore, may also be subject to the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. As of the effective date of 
this AD, however, this model is not type certificated for operation 
in the United States. Airworthiness authorities of countries in 
which the Model BAe 125-800B series airplanes are approved for 
operation should consider adopting corrective action, applicable to 
this model, that is similar to the corrective action required by 
this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent an engine fire from moving to the fuselage 
and flammable fluid carrying lines located inboard of the firewalls 
on the left and right engine pylons, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within six months after the effective date of this AD, fill 
the two, unused (open) tooling holes in the firewalls of the left 
and right engine pylons, in accordance with Raytheon Service 
Bulletin SB.54-1-3815B, dated March 26, 1996.
    (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, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Small 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, 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.


[[Page 46576]]


    (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 August 28, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22474 Filed 9-03-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U