[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55734-55735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27756]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD; Amendment 39-9800; AD 96-22-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Corp. (Formerly Beech 
Aircraft Corp.) Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (Raytheon) Models 
1900C, 1900D, and 2000 airplanes. This action requires inspecting (one-
time) the fuel filter assemblies to detect any bypass valve that is 
glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued shut, the AD requires replacing 
the associated fuel filter assembly. Three in-flight occurrences in 
which the low fuel pressure light illuminated prompted this action. In 
each of the instances, a bypass valve on the affected airplane engine 
was glued shut with anaerobic thread lock adhesive and when the fuel 
filter became clogged, proper fuel flow to the engine was not obtained. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent lack of fuel 
to the engine and eventual engine shutdown caused by a clogged fuel 
filter and a contaminated fuel filter bypass valve.

DATES: Effective December 13, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 13, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, 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 96-CE-30-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. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Safety Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4146; facsimile (316) 946-
4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Raytheon Models 
1900C, 1900D, and 2000 airplanes that were manufactured during the 
period when the fuel filter assembly bypass valves were susceptible to 
anaerobic thread lock adhesive contamination was published in the 
Federal Register on July 8, 1996 (61 FR 35695). The action proposed to 
require inspecting (one-time) the fuel filter assemblies to detect any 
bypass valve that is glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued shut, the 
proposal would require replacing the fuel filter assembly. 
Accomplishment of the inspection and replacement (if necessary) as 
specified in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would be in 
accordance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2677 
(for Model 2000 airplanes), dated March, 1996; or Raytheon Mandatory SB 
No. 2678 (for Models 1900C and 1900D airplanes), dated June, 1996, as 
applicable.
    Three in-flight occurrences in which the low fuel pressure light 
illuminated prompted the NPRM.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Comment Disposition

    One commenter asks why the FAA is not mandating an inspection of 
the fuel filter bypass valves upon replacement to ensure that no valve 
is glued shut. This commenter is concerned that owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes may have defective fuel filter bypass valves 
utilized as spares and may replace the current valve with a defective 
valve at a later date. The FAA partially concurs. The FAA's Wichita 
Manufacturing and Inspection District Office (MIDO) and Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), in working with Raytheon, have identified 
all inventory of the suspect part and have determined that the one-time 
inspection of the fleet will detect any fuel filter bypass valves glued 
shut. However, as currently worded, the NPRM does not prevent these 
nonfunctional bypass valves from being reinstalled at a later date. The 
final rule will contain a paragraph preventing reinstallation of a fuel 
filter bypass valve that was found nonfunctional while complying with 
this AD.
    Another commenter agrees and supports the NPRM as written.
    No comments were received on the FAA's determination of the cost 
impact upon the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
the addition to the AD that prevents reinstallation of defective bypass 
valves and minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that 
this addition and the minor corrections will not change the meaning of 
the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 379 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$45,480. This figure only takes into account the cost of the inspection 
and does not take into account the cost of replacing any fuel filter 
assembly found to have a nonfunctional bypass valve. A fuel filter 
assembly replacement will take approximately 1 workhour (possible two 
fuel filter assembly replacements per airplane) at approximately $60 
per hour. The manufacturer will provide parts at no cost to the owner/
operator. The FAA knows of no affected airplane owner/operator who has 
already accomplished this action.

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

[[Page 55735]]

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

96-22-12  Raytheon Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9800; Docket 
No. 96-CE-30-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane model and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900C.....................................  UC-1 through UC-174         
1900C (C-12J).............................  UD-1 through UD-6           
1900D.....................................  UE-1 through UE-205         
2000......................................  NC-4 through NC-53          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (d) 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 within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent lack of fuel to the engine and eventual engine 
shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a contaminated fuel 
filter bypass valve, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect (one-time) the fuel filter assemblies to detect any 
bypass valve that is glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued shut, 
prior to further flight, replace the associated fuel filter 
assembly. Accomplish the inspection and replacement (if necessary) 
in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2678 
(for Models 1900C and 1900D airplanes), dated June, 1996; and 
Beechcraft Mandatory SB No. 2677 (for Model 2000 airplanes), dated 
March, 1996.
    (b) No person shall re-install a fuel filter bypass valve that 
was replaced as required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (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.
    (d) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (e) The inspection and replacement (if necessary) required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 2678, dated June, 1996; or Beechcraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 2677, dated March, 1996, as applicable. 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 the Raytheon 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., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9800) becomes effective on December 13, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27756 Filed 10-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U