[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