[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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