[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40763-40765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20011]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-68-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, 400T,
MU-300, and MU-300-10 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech)
Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 2000 airplanes, and Model 200, B200,
300, and B300 series airplanes, that currently requires replacement of
outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves. That AD was prompted by
a report of cracking and consequent failure of outflow safety valves in
the pressurization system. The actions specified by that AD are
intended to prevent such cracking and consequent failure of the
outflow/safety valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the
airplane. This action would revise the applicability of the existing AD
to add an airplane model and to remove other airplanes, as well as to
reference additional service bulletins that identify the serial numbers
of affected airplanes.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 23, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Allied Signal Aerospace, Technical Publications, Dept.
65-70, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2170. This information
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael D. Imbler, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch,
ACE-116W, 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
[[Page 40764]]
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 97-NM-68-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. 97-NM-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On August 12, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-17-10, amendment 39-9719
(61 FR 42996, August 20, 1996), applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech)
Model 400, 400A, Mu-300-10, and 2000 airplanes, and Model 200, B200,
300, and B300 series airplanes, to require replacement of the outflow/
safety valves with serviceable valves. That action was prompted by a
report of cracking and consequent failure of the outflow safety valves
in the pressurization system. The requirements of that AD are intended
to prevent such cracking and consequent failure of the outflow/safety
valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin No.
2476, Revision II. dated June 1997. The replacement procedures
described in this service bulletin is essentially identical to those
described in AlliedSignal Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1,
dated May 30, 1995, which was referenced in AD 96-17-10 as one of two
appropriate sources of service information. However, the effectivity
listing of Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 2476 specify the serial
numbers of the affected airplanes and also adds an airplane model
[i.e., Model 400 T(military)] that is subject to the addressed unsafe
condition.
FAA's Conclusions
The FAA has determined that the applicability of AD 96-17-10 must
be revised to: (1) Include Raytheon (Beech) Model MU-300 and 400T
(military) airplanes, and (2) reference Raytheon Service Bulletin No.
2476 as the appropriate sources of service information for identifying
the serial numbers of the affected airplanes.
In addition, the FAA inadvertently included Raytheon (Beech) Model
2000 airplanes and Model 200, B200, 300 and B300 series airplanes in
the applicability of AD 96-17-10. The FAA finds that these airplanes
should have been addressed in a separate rulemaking action. Therefore,
the FAA has removed these airplanes from the applicability of this
proposed AD. The FAA also has removed references to the corresponding
service information for those airplanes from the proposed AD. The FAA
is considering further rulemaking to address the identified unsafe
condition for those airplanes.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 96-17-10 to continue to require
replacement of outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves. The
proposed AD would revise the applicability of the existing AD to add an
airplane model and to remove other airplanes, as well as to reference
additional service bulletins that identify the serial numbers of
affected airplanes.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 142 Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, 400T,
Mu-300 and Mu-300-10 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet. The FAA estimates that 110 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 96-17-10, and
retained in this proposed AD, take approximately 12 work hours per
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently
required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $79,200, or $720
per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 removing amendment 39-9719 (61 FR
42996, August 20, 1996), and by adding
[[Page 40765]]
a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as follows:
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech, Raytheon Corporate Jets,
British Aerospace, Hawker Siddley, et al.): Docket 97-NM-68-AD.
Supersedes AD 96-17-10, Amendment 39-9719.
Applicability: The following models and series of airplanes,
certificated in any category, equipped with AlliedSignal outflow/
safety valves, as identified in AlliedSignal Aerospace Service
Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995:
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Model of airplane Serial Nos.
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400............................. RJ-1 through RJ-65, inclusive.
400A............................ RK-1 through RK-42, inclusive.
400T (military)................. TT-4 and TT-19.
MU-300.......................... S/N A001SA through A091SA.
MU-300-10....................... A1001SA through A1011SA, inclusive.
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Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent cracking and consequent failure of the outflow/safety
valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 18 months after September 24, 1996 (the effective
date of AD 96-17-10, amendment 39-9719), replace the outflow/safety
value in accordance with AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin
103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995.
(b) As of September 24, 1996, no person shall install an
outflow/safety valve, having a part number and serial number
identified in AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-
4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995, on any airplane unless that
valve is considered to be serviceable in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin.
(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 said 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) 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 location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20011 Filed 7-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M