[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45773-45775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22962]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-195-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 45774]]

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon Model Hawker 
800XP series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the 
fuel feed hose assemblies of the auxiliary power unit (APU) with new 
hose assemblies. This proposal is prompted by a report of the collapse 
of the inner casing of the fuel feed hose that supplies fuel to the 
APU. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the fuel feed hose assemblies, which could result in fuel 
leakage and consequent risk of fire in the aft equipment bay.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-195-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; 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: Randy Griffith, 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) 
946-4145; 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 98-NM-195-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-195-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    During a functional test of the auxiliary power unit (APU) on a 
Model Hawker 800XP series airplane, conducted by the manufacturer, the 
APU shut down automatically. Investigation of the incident revealed 
that the inner casing of the fuel feed hose that supplies fuel to the 
APU had collapsed. The inner casing of the hose had adhered to the hose 
end fittings because of the lack of lubrication during hose 
manufacture. When the hose end fittings were torqued during 
installation on the airplane, the inner casing became twisted and 
collapsed. Further inspection of other Model Hawker 800XP series 
airplanes revealed additional hoses with a similar condition. Such 
collapse of the fuel feed hose, if not corrected, could result in fuel 
leakage and consequent increased risk of fire in the aft equipment bay.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.49-
3018, dated August 1997, which describes procedures for replacement of 
the fuel feed hose assemblies of the auxiliary power unit (APU) with 
new hose assemblies. The service bulletin also describes the procedures 
(shutdown of APU and display of warning notices prohibiting use) to be 
used if replacement fuel feed hose assemblies are not immediately 
available for installation. Accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition.

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 require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 11 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the replacement proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,300, or $300 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

[[Page 45775]]

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): Docket 98-NM-195-AD.

    Applicability: Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes, serial 
numbers 258297 through 258304 inclusive, and 258307 through 258309 
inclusive; 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 (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 failure of the fuel feed hose assemblies, which could 
result in fuel leakage and consequent risk of fire in the aft 
equipment bay, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 300 flight hours or 3 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the fuel feed hose 
assemblies of the auxiliary power unit (APU) with new hose 
assemblies in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin 
SB.49-3018, dated August 1997.
    (b) If replacement fuel feed hose assemblies are not immediately 
available for installation, shut down the APU and display warning 
notices prohibiting use of the APU in accordance with Raytheon 
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB.49-3018, dated August 1997, until the 
replacement required by paragraph (a) of this AD is accomplished.
    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22962 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U