[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46711-46712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23618]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-34-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 2000 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 
Model 2000 airplanes (commonly referred to as Beech Model 2000 
airplanes). The proposed AD would require inspecting the stainless 
steel fuel line, part number (P/N) 3035737, for chafing against the 
power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1. The proposed AD is the result of 
a routine inspection of an in-service airplane where chafing on the 
stainless steel fuel line was noted. Inspections of other aircraft 
revealed similar chafing. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent fuel line chafing caused by interference with the 
power lever bracket, which could result in fuel leakage and cause a 
fire in the engine compartment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-34-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the 
address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randy Griffith, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4145; facsimile: (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 should 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 that summarizes 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 No. 98-CE-34-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-34-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA received a field report that a Raytheon Model 2000 airplane 
had chafed fuel lines. The chafing is caused by the fuel line rubbing 
against the power lever bracket on each engine. Inspection of other 
aircraft revealed similar chafing.

Relevant Service Information

    Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.28-3104, Issued: 
September, 1997, which specifies procedures for inspecting the 
stainless steel fuel line for chafing and proper clearance between the 
fuel line and the power lever bracket. If there are signs of chafing, 
the service bulletin specifies replacing the fuel line and modifying 
the power lever bracket to provide the necessary clearance to prevent 
chafing.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, including the 
referenced service information, the FAA has determined

[[Page 46712]]

that AD action should be taken to prevent fuel line chafing caused by 
interference with the power lever bracket, which could result in fuel 
leakage and cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Raytheon Model 2000 airplanes of the same 
type design, the proposed AD would require inspecting each engine fuel 
line, part number (P/N) 3035737, for chafing and correct clearance 
between the fuel line and the power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1. If 
chafing is found, the proposed AD would require replacing the fuel line 
with a new fuel line and modifying the power lever bracket to provide 
the clearance needed between the fuel line and the power lever bracket 
to prevent chafing.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 49 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $465 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $34,545, 
or $705 per airplane.

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 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) 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 has been placed 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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A38CE formerly held 
by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. 98-CE-34-AD.

    Applicability: Model 2000 airplanes, serial numbers NC-4 through 
NC-53, 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 (e) 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 fuel line chafing caused by interference with the 
power lever bracket, which could result in fuel leakage and cause a 
fire in the engine compartment, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the engine stainless steel fuel 
line, part number (P/N) 3035737, for evidence of chafing and a 
minimum clearance of .06-inch between the fuel line and power lever 
bracket, P/N 122-940028-1. Accomplish this inspection in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB.28.3104, Issued: September, 1997.
    (b) If chafing is evident on the fuel line, prior to further 
flight, replace the fuel line with a new fuel line and modify the 
power lever bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB.28.3104, Issued: September, 1997.
    (c) If the clearance between the fuel line and the power lever 
bracket is less than .06-inch, prior to further flight, modify the 
power lever bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB.28.3104, Issued: September, 1997.
    (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) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times 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.

    (f) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to Raytheon Aircraft 
Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine 
this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 27, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23618 Filed 9-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U