[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4003-4004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1964]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-43-AD; Amendment 39-9907; AD 97-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly 
Beech Aircraft Corporation) Model 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 1900D 
airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Model 1900D airplanes). This 
action requires replacing the right-hand exhaust stack for both the 
left and right engines. This action results from reports of wing skin 
damage (with associated fuel seepage) and cabin window damage caused by 
the heat of the right-hand exhaust stacks on the affected airplanes. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent wing skin de-
bonding or warping of the cabin windows because of the heat generated 
by the engines' right-hand exhaust stacks.

DATES: Effective March 14, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, 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 No. 96-CE-43-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 This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Raytheon 
Model 1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Model 1900D 
airplanes) was published in the Federal Register on September 30, 1996 
(61 FR 51060). The action proposed to require replacing the right-hand 
exhaust stack for both the left and right engines. Accomplishment of 
the proposed replacement as specified in the notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) would be in accordance with the INSTALLATION 
INSTRUCTIONS to Raytheon Kit No. 129-9013-1, as referenced in Raytheon 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2686, dated June 1996.
    The NPRM resulted from reports of wing skin damage (with associated 
fuel seepage) and cabin window damage on the affected airplanes, which 
was determined to be caused by the heat of the right-hand exhaust 
stacks.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to 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 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these 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 199 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately

[[Page 4004]]

10 workhours per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be 
provided at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes 
until June 1997 (after that the cost will be $6,452). Based on these 
figures and utilizing the assumption that all owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes will obtain parts prior to June 1997, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $119,400. This 
figure is based upon the assumption that no affected airplane owner/
operator 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 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 U.S.C. 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:

97-03-01  Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly Beech Aircraft 
Corporation): Amendment 39-9907; Docket No. 96-CE-43-AD.
    Applicability: Model 1900D airplanes (serial numbers UE-1 
through UE-225), 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 within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent wing skin de-bonding or warping of the cabin windows 
because of the heat generated by the engines' right-hand exhaust 
stacks, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the right-hand exhaust stack for both the left and 
right engines in accordance with the INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 
included in Raytheon Kit No. 129-9013-1, as referenced in Raytheon 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2686, dated June 1996.
    (b) 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.
    (c) 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.

    (d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS to Raytheon Kit No. 
129-9013-1, as referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
2686, dated June 1996. 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 Company, 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9907) becomes effective on March 14, 
1997. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 16, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1964 Filed 1-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U