[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13495-13497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6952]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-68-AD; Amendment 39-10408; AD 98-06-30]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, 400T, 
MU-300, and MU-300-10 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, 400T, MU-
300, MU-300-10 airplanes, that currently requires replacement of 
outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves. This amendment revises 
the applicability of the existing AD to add an airplane model and to 
remove other airplanes, as well as to identify the serial numbers of 
affected airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent cracking and consequent failure of the outflow/safety valves, 
which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

DATES: Effective April 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 
2476, Revision II, dated June 1997, as listed in the regulations, is 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of AlliedSignal Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995, as listed in 
the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of September 24, 1996 (61 FR 42996, August 20, 1996).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, Technical Publications, Dept. 65-
70, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2170; or 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 96-17-10, 
amendment 39-9719 (61 FR 42996, August 20, 1996), which is applicable 
to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 2000 series 
airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 300, and B300 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on July 30, 1997 (62 FR 40763). The 
action proposed to continue to require replacement of outflow/safety 
valves with serviceable valves. The action also proposed to revise the 
applicability of the existing AD to add an airplane model and to remove 
other airplanes, as well as to identify the serial numbers of affected 
airplanes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Applicability of This AD

    The preamble of the proposed AD states that the applicability of AD 
96-17-10 must be revised, in part, to reference Raytheon Service 
Bulletin No. 2476 as the appropriate source of service information for 
identifying the serial numbers of the affected airplanes. That 
statement is incorrect.
    The applicability of the proposed AD did not specifically reference 
that service bulletin but, instead, listed the affected airplane models 
and serial numbers specified in the ``Material'' section of that 
service bulletin. Since the effectivity listing of Service Bulletin No. 
2476 does not include the serial numbers of the affected airplanes, the 
FAA finds that referencing it in the applicability of this AD as the 
appropriate source of service information for identifying such serial 
numbers could be misleading to operators. No change to this final rule 
is necessary in this regard.

[[Page 13496]]

Explanation of Changes to Proposal

    The FAA finds that the compliance time specified in paragraph (a) 
of the proposed AD (i.e., 18 months after September 24, 1996) needs to 
be extended for the new airplanes (i.e., Model 400T and MU-300 series 
airplanes) added to the applicability of this AD. At the time of 
issuance of the NPRM, the FAA determined that operators of Model 400T 
and MU-300 series airplanes could accomplish the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of the proposed AD within a timely manner. However, due 
to delay in issuance of the final rule, the compliance time of March 
24, 1998, will have passed when this final rule becomes effective. The 
FAA has determined that an 18-month compliance time for the subject 
airplanes is appropriate. Therefore, the FAA has revised paragraph (a) 
of the AD accordingly.
    In addition, the proposed AD states that the replacement procedures 
described in Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 2476, Revision II, dated 
June 1997, are essentially identical to those described in AlliedSignal 
Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995 (which 
is referenced in AD 96-17-10 as one of two appropriate sources of 
service information). However, the FAA inadvertently did not include 
the Raytheon bulletin as an additional source of service information 
for the requirements of paragraph (a) of the proposed AD. Therefore, 
the FAA has revised paragraph (a) of the final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the changes previously described. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

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 will be 
affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 96-17-10, and 
retained in this 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 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 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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 removing amendment 39-9719 (61 FR 
42996, ugust 20, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

98-06-30  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech, Raytheon 
Corporate Jets, British Aerospace, Hawker Siddley, et al.): 
Amendment 39-10408. 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Model of airplane                       Serial Nos.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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       
                                         inclusive.                     
MU-300-10.............................  A1001SA through A1011SA         
                                         inclusive.                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 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) Replace the outflow/safety valve in accordance with 
AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, 
dated May 30, 1995, or Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 2476, Revision 
II, dated June 1997, at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10 series airplanes: Replace 
within 18 months after September 24, 1996 (the effective date of AD 
96-17-10, amendment 39-9719).
    (2) For Model 400T (military) and MU-300 series airplanes: 
Replace within 18 months after the effective date of AD.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, 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.

[[Page 13497]]

    (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 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 a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with 
AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, 
dated May 30, 1995; or Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 2476, Revision 
II, dated June 1997.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Service Bulletin 
No. 2476, Revision II, dated June 1997, is approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of AlliedSignal Aerospace 
Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
September 24, 1996 (61 FR 42996, August 20, 1996).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from AlliedSignal Aerospace, 
Technical Publications, Dept. 65-70, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, 
Arizona 85072-2170; or Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service 
Engineering, Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 85, 
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 24, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 11, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6952 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U