[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 142 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39787-39789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19471]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-274-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model DH.125-400A; BH.125-400A 
and -600A, HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and Hawker 800 and 
Hawker 800 XP Series Airplanes Including Military Variants

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon Model DH.125-
400A; BH.125-400A and -600A; HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and 
Hawker 800, and Hawker 800 XP series airplanes including military 
variants (C29A, U125, U125A). This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection to determine if certain high pressure oxygen hose assemblies 
are installed, and, if installed, replacement of those hose assemblies 
with new, improved hose assemblies. This proposal is prompted by a 
report that certain high pressure oxygen hose assemblies are 
susceptible to leakage due to those hose assemblies not meeting design 
specifications during manufacturing. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent leaks in high pressure oxygen hose 
assemblies, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
insufficient oxygen available to the passengers or crew if the cabin 
pressure altitude should rise to a level requiring emergency oxygen.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-274-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering, 
Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Imbler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-115W, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4147; fax (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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 96-NM-274-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 96-NM-274-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that certain high pressure 
oxygen hose assemblies installed on Raytheon Model DH.125-400A; BH.125-
400A and -600A; HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and Hawker 800 and 
Hawker 800 XP series airplanes including military variants (C29A,

[[Page 39788]]

U125, U125A) are susceptible to leakage. The cause of such leakage has 
been attributed to a discrepant batch of Kidde-Graviner hose assemblies 
that have a limited in-service life. These hose assemblies, if not 
removed and replaced in a timely manner, could leak and result in 
insufficient oxygen quantity available for the passengers or crew if 
the cabin pressure altitude should rise to a level requiring emergency 
oxygen.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Raytheon has issued Service Bulletin SB.35-46, dated September 30, 
1996, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection to determine 
whether any high pressure oxygen hose assemblies having part number WKA 
34609 are installed, and replacement of these hose assemblies with new, 
improved oxygen hose assemblies that meet the design specification.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require a one-time 
inspection to determine whether certain oxygen hose assemblies, and 
replacement of discrepant hose assemblies with new, improved hose 
assemblies. The inspection and replacement would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 404 Raytheon Model DH.125-400A; BH.125-400A 
and -600A, HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and Hawker 800 and 
Hawker 800 XP series airplanes including military variants of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the initial inspection 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $24,240, or 
$60 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the proposed 
replacement, it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at 
no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the replacement proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $24,240, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted.

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 proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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, 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech, Raytheon Corporate Jets, 
British Aerospace, Hawker Siddeley, et al.): Docket 96-NM-274-AD.

    Applicability: All Model DH.125-400A, BH.125-400A and -600A, 
HS.125-600A and -700A, and BAe 125-800A series airplanes; and Model 
Hawker 800 and Hawker 800 XP series airplanes (including Military 
Variants C29A, U125, and U125A airplanes) having serial numbers 1 
through 258294 inclusive; on which Modification 252036 has been 
installed with a high pressure oxygen hose assembly having part 
number WKA 34609; 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 (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.
    Note 2: Raytheon (Beech) Model DH.125-400B; BH.125-400B and -
600B, S. 125-600B and -700B, and BAe 125-800B series airplanes are 
similar in design to the airplanes that are subject to the 
requirements of this AD, and therefore, also may be subject to the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. However, as of the effective 
date of this AD, those models are not type certificated for 
operation in the United States. Airworthiness authorities of 
countries in which those models are approved for operation should 
consider adopting corrective action, applicable to these models, 
that is similar to the corrective action required by this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent leaks in high pressure oxygen hose assemblies, which 
could result in insufficient oxygen quantity available to the 
passengers or crew if the cabin pressure altitude should rise to a 
level requiring emergency oxygen, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection to determine whether any high pressure oxygen 
hose assembly having a discrepant part number WKA 34609 is 
installed, in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.35-46, 
dated September 30, 1996. If no discrepant part number is detected, 
no further action is required by this AD. If any hose assembly 
having discrepant part number WKA 34609 is installed, prior to 
further flight, replace the hose assembly with a hose assembly 
having part number 58179-101 in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
high pressure oxygen

[[Page 39789]]

hose having part number WKA 34609 on any airplane.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1997.
Gary L. Killion,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19471 Filed 7-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U