[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 4206-4208] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-2106] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes). The proposed AD would require installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms. The proposed AD results from reports of the airstair door [[Page 4207]] not opening because the door was frozen shut. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 1997. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201- 0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Safety Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4124; facsimile (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 should 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 that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket. 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 No. 96-CE-60-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, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Discussion The FAA has received numerous reports of the airstair door not opening because the door was frozen shut on Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes). Under the current configuration of these airplanes, moisture accumulates and freezes in the airstair door handle and latch housings, resulting in the door freezing shut. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in passengers not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation. Applicable Service Information Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated July, 1996, which includes procedures for installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms on certain Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. The FAA's Determination After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation. Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes of the same type design, the proposed AD would require installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms. Accomplishment of the proposed installation would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated July, 1996. Cost Impact The FAA estimates that 408 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14 workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $50 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $363,120 or $890 per airplane. This figure is based on the presumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has accomplished the proposed installation. Raytheon has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to equip approximately 36 of the affected airplanes. Presuming that each set of parts has been incorporated on one of the affected airplanes, the cost impact of the proposed AD upon U.S. operators of the affected airplanes would be reduced $32,040 from $363,120 to $331,080. 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 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) 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 has been placed 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 [[Page 4208]] 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 a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD. Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, certificated in any category: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Model Serial Nos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1900................................. UA-1 through UA-3. 1900C................................ UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1 through UC-174. 1900D................................ UE-1 through UE-157. 1900D (C-12J)........................ UD-1 through UD-6. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 200 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation, accomplish the following: (a) Install lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated July, 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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the documents referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 21, 1997. Henry A. Armstrong, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-2106 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P