[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26261-26263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly 
Beech Aircraft Corporation) 90, 100, 200 and 300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly Beech 
Aircraft Corporation) 90, 100, 200 and 300 series airplanes. The 
proposed action would require inspecting gray, blue or clear Ethylene 
Vinyl Acetate (EVA) tubing near the co-pilot's foot warmer for collapse 
or deformity. If the tubing is collapsed or deformed, the proposed 
action would require replacing and re-routing the tubing. This EVA 
tubing is used on the pneumatic de-ice indicator lines and the 
pressurization control system pneumatic lines that provide vacuum to 
the outflow safety valves that depressurize the airplane. Several 
reports of collapsed EVA tubing prompted the proposed action. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent a loss of 
vacuum to depressurize the airplane cabin, which could result in 
personal injury to the door operator; and to prevent malfunction of the 
de-ice indicator system, which could cause the pilot to immediately 
exit icing conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-05-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 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: Mike Imbler, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4147, 
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. 97-CE-05-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. 97-CE-05-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA has received field reports on the following incidents:
     A pilot was having difficulty with ``pressure bumps'' 
while on the ground in a Raytheon Model 200 airplane,
     A door operator was opening a cabin door on a Raytheon 
Model C90A airplane and was thrown out of the airplane, and
     A passenger on a Raytheon Model B300 was attempting to 
open the cabin door and cabin pressure forced the door outward, 
damaging the door, door hinge, and door snubber.
    In all of these incidents, further investigation revealed the EVA 
vacuum tubes for the pneumatic pressurization control system had 
collapsed. These pressurized control system vacuum tubes are routed 
adjacent to the de-ice indicator pneumatic tubes. The tubes are 
collapsing because they are located near the co-pilot's foot warmer 
outlet and associated plumbing.
    This foot warmer is generating sufficient heat to deform and 
collapse the EVA tubing. Should the de-ice indicator pneumatic tube 
collapse or rupture from this heat source, the de-ice indicator will 
read zero. A zero reading from the de-ice indicator could cause the 
pilot to exit icing conditions unnecessarily.

Relevant Service Information

    Raytheon Aircraft Company has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
2676, Issued: January 1997, which specifies procedures for inspecting 
the affected airplanes for the condition of the pneumatic tubing and 
replacing the tubing if it is deformed or collapsed and re-routing the 
tubing. If the tubing is in good condition, then the service bulletin 
specifies re-routing the tubing away from the heat source.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent a loss of vacuum 
to depressurize the airplane cabin, which could result in personal 
injury to the door operator; and to prevent malfunction of the de-ice 
indicator system, which could cause the pilot to unnecessarily exit 
icing conditions.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or

[[Page 26262]]

develop in other Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly Beech Aircraft 
Corporation) 90, 100, 200, and 300 series airplanes of the same type 
design, the proposed AD would require inspecting the condition and 
proper routing of the gray, blue, or clear pneumatic pressurization 
control system tubes and the de-ice indicator pneumatic tubing located 
forward of the co-pilot's right outboard rudder pedal. If either tube 
is deformed or collapsed, the proposed action would require replacing 
the damaged section of tube with new nylon tubing, then re-routing and 
securing the tubing using aluminum tubing and hose clamps. If there is 
no evidence of damage to the tubing, the proposed action would only 
require re-routing and securing the tubing to ensure that it is at 
least 8 inches away from the discharge opening of the co-pilot's foot 
warmer outlet. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be required 
in accordance with the service bulletin referenced previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2,515 airplanes in the U.S. registry would 
be affected by the proposed AD; that it would take approximately 6 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, repair, 
and re-routing of the tubing; and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts would be covered under the 
manufacturer's warranty credit program. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $905,400 or $360 per airplane. The FAA has no way to determine the 
number of owners/operators of the affected airplanes who may have 
already accomplished this action.

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 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 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:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (formerly Beech Aircraft Company): Docket 
No. 97-CE-05-AD.

    Applicability: The following Models and serial numbered 
airplanes, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Models                             Serial No.           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C90 and C90A..........................  LJ-683 through LJ-1463.         
E90...................................  LW-177 through LW-347.          
F90...................................  LA-1 through LA-236.            
H90...................................  LL-1 through LL-61.             
A100..................................  B-228 through B-247.            
B100..................................  BE-6 through BE-137.            
200 and B200..........................  BB-114 through BB-1553.         
200C and B200C........................  BL-1 through BL-72 and BL-124   
                                         through BL-140.                
200CT and B200CT......................  BN-1 through BN-4.              
200T and B200T........................  BT-1 through BT-38.             
300...................................  FA-1 through FA-230 and FF-1    
                                         through FF-19.                 
B300..................................  FL-1 through FL-154.            
B300C.................................  FM-1 through FM-9 and FN-1.     
A200 (C-12C)..........................  BC-19 through BC-75 and BD-15   
                                         through BD-30.                 
A200C (UC-12B)........................  BJ-1 through BJ-66.             
A200CT (C-12D/F)......................  BP-1, BP-22, and BP-24 through  
                                         BP-63.                         
A200CT (FWC-12D)......................  BP-7 through BP-11.             
A200CT (RC-12D).......................  GR-1 through GR-13.             
A200CT (RC-12H).......................  GR-14 through GR-19.            
A200CT (RC-12G).......................  FC-1 through FC-3.              
A200CT (RC-12K).......................  FE-1 through FE-9.              
A200CT (RC-12N).......................  FE-10 through FE-31.            
A200CT (RC-12P).......................  FE-33 and FE-35.                
A200CT (RC-12Q).......................  FE-32, FE-34, and FE-36.        
B200C (C-12F).........................  BL-73 through BL-112, BL-118    
                                         through BL-123, and BP-64      
                                         through BP-71.                 
B200C (C-12R).........................  BW-1 through BW-29.             
B200C (UC-12F)........................  BU-1 through BU-10.             
B200C (RC-12F)........................  BU-11 and BU-12.                
B200C (UC-12M)........................  BV-1 through BV-10.             
B200C (RC-12M)........................  BV-11 and BV-12.                
B200CT (FWC-12D)......................  FG-1 and FG-2.                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (e) 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 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent a loss of vacuum to depressurize the airplane cabin, 
which could result in personal injury to the door operator; and to 
prevent malfunction of the de-ice indicator system which could cause 
the pilot to unnecessarily exit icing conditions, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Inspect for collapse, deformation, and proper routing of the 
gray, blue, or clear pneumatic pressurization control system tubes 
and the de-ice indicator pneumatic tubing located forward of the co-
pilot's right outboard rudder pedal in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section and Figure 1 of the Raytheon 
Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
2676, Issued: January 1997.
    (b) If any of this tubing is deformed or collapsed, prior to 
further flight, replace the damaged section of tube with new nylon 
tubing, then use aluminum tubing and hose clamps to secure and re-
route the tubing at least 8 inches away from the discharge opening 
of the co-pilot's foot warmer outlet in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section and Figure 2 of the Raytheon 
Mandatory SB No. 2676, January 1997.

[[Page 26263]]

    (c) If there is no evidence of damage to the tubing, prior to 
further flight, re-route and secure the tubing as specified in 
paragraph (b) of this AD in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section of the Raytheon Mandatory SB No. 2676, Issued: 
January 1997.
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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, 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 Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

    (f) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
this document referred to herein upon request to Raytheon Aircraft 
Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine 
this document 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 May 7, 1997.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12518 Filed 5-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U