[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58894-58896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28872]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-11-AD; Amendment 39-10187; AD 97-22-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 
1900C, and 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) Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D airplanes). This AD requires fabricating and 
installing a placard that restricts the use of the forward and aft vent 
blower assemblies to only the ``OFF'' or ``HIGH'' position. This AD 
also requires incorporating a modification that would replace the 
bearings on the vent blower assemblies with improved design bearings, 
and provide thermal protection for the vent blowers, as applicable. 
Incorporating the modification will eliminate the need for the placard. 
The AD results from reports of vent blower assembly bearings seizing 
and locking the blower motor on several of the affected airplanes. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the vent blower 
assembly bearings from seizing, which could result in smoke emanating 
from the insulating material covering the electrical wiring and 
entering the airplane cabin.

DATES: Effective December 5, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 5, 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 Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-11-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. Harvey Nero, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4137; 
facsimile (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of 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 
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 29, 1997 (62 
FR 29086). The NPRM proposed to require (1) fabricating and installing 
a placard that restricts the use of the vent blower assemblies; and (2) 
incorporating a modification that would replace the bearings in the 
vent blower assemblies with improved design bearings, and provide 
thermal protection for the vent blowers, as applicable. Incorporating 
the modification would eliminate the need for the placard. 
Accomplishment of the proposed modification as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with the Update Procedures for the Electromech 
Technologies EM630 Blower (Raytheon P/N 114-380028-1 for Installation 
of Kit P/N's 630-201-1 and 630-201-2), dated December 9, 1996; and 
Advanced Industries, Inc. Installation Procedure for the Resistor 
Wiring Harness Kit on the BC80A-1 Blower, dated October 9, 1996. Both 
of these documents are referenced in Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 
2721, Issued: January 1997.
    The NPRM resulted from vent blower assembly bearings seizing and 
locking the blower motor on several of the affected airplanes.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the

[[Page 58895]]

proposed AD or on 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 500 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $500 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $460,000. These figures are based 
on the presumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has 
incorporated the modification.
    Raytheon has informed the FAA that approximately 700 kits have been 
shipped from the Raytheon Aircraft Authorized Service Center. This is 
enough to equip 350 of the affected airplanes (two vent blower 
assemblies per airplane). Presuming that each of the 350 sets of kits 
is incorporated on an affected airplane, the cost impact of this AD is 
reduced by $322,000 from $460,000 to $138,000.

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:
97-22-16  Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10187; Docket No. 
97-CE-11-AD.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that are equipped with either part 
number (P/N) 114-380028-1 vent blower assemblies or P/N 114-380028-3 
vent blower assemblies:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                           Serial numbers         
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1900..................................  UA-2 and UA-3.                  
1900C.................................  UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1    
                                         through UC-174.                
1900C (C-12J).........................  UD-1 through UD-6.              
1900D.................................  UE-1 through UE-244.            
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (f) 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 in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent the vent blower assembly bearings from seizing, which 
could result in smoke emanating from the insulating material 
covering the electrical wiring and entering the airplane cabin, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, accomplish the following:
    (1) Fabricate a placard, using letters at least 1/8-inch in 
height, with the words: ``Operate vent blowers in HIGH or OFF 
position only''.
    (2) Install this placard near the vent blower control switch 
within the pilot's clear view.
    (3) This placard requirement may be terminated when the 
modifications required by paragraph (b) of this AD are incorporated.
    (b) Upon accumulating 2,000 total hours TIS or within the next 
1,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, incorporate one of the following kits, as applicable, 
in accordance with the referenced kit instructions, as specified in 
Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 2721, Issued: January, 1997:
    (1) For P/N 114-380028-1 vent blower assemblies: Electromech 
Technologies Kit No. EM630-201-1 or EM630-201-2 (as appropriate for 
the blower serial number), in accordance with the Update Procedures 
for the Electromech Technologies EM630 Blower (Raytheon P/N 114-
380028-1 for Installation of Kit P/N's 630-201-1 and 630-201-2), 
dated December 9, 1996. These kits, when incorporated, replace the 
bearings on the vent blower assemblies with improved design 
bearings, and provide thermal protection for the vent blowers; or
    (2) For P/N 114-380028-3: Advanced Industries Kit No. BC80A905 
in accordance with Advanced Industries, Inc. Installation Procedure 
for the Resistor Wiring Harness Kit on the BC80A-1 Blower, dated 
October 9, 1996. This kit, when incorporated, provides thermal 
protection for the vent blowers.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
P/N 114-380028-1 or P/N 114-380028-3 vent blower assemblies without 
first incorporating the appropriate kit(s), as referenced in 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD.
    (d) Fabricating and installing the placard as required by 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD may be performed by the 
owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as 
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.11 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
    (e) 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.
    (f) 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.

[[Page 58896]]

    (g) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the Update Procedures for the Electromech 
Technologies EM630 Blower (Raytheon P/N 114-380028-1 for 
Installation of Kit P/N's 630-201-1 and 630-201-2), dated December 
9, 1996; and Advanced Industries, Inc. Installation Procedure for 
the Resistor Wiring Harness Kit on the BC80A-1 Blower, dated October 
9, 1996. Both of these documents are referenced in Raytheon Service 
Bulletin No. 2721, Issued: January, 1997. 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 Regional 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.
    (h) This amendment (39-10187) becomes effective on December 5, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 23, 1997.
Mary Ellen A. Schutt,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28872 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U