[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 245 (Tuesday, December 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70636-70637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-153-AD; Amendment 39-10959; AD 98-26-16]
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. This AD requires modifying the emergency 
exit doors and installing interior and exterior placards on each of the 
emergency exit doors. Difficulty in opening the emergency exit doors 
prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent passengers and crew from not being able to open the emergency 
exit doors during an airplane emergency, which could result in 
passenger and crew injuries.

DATES: Effective February 5, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 5, 1999.

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-153-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. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4124; 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 August 13, 1998 
(63 FR 43336). The NPRM proposed to require modifying the emergency 
exit doors and installing placards on the emergency exit doors within 
the clear view of the passengers and crew. Accomplishment of the 
proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with 
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2740, Revision 1, Issued: 
April, 1997; Revised: June, 1997.
    The NPRM was the result of reports of difficulty in opening the 
emergency exit doors.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. The FAA received one comment on the 
NPRM, which supports the proposed AD.

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 527 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,200 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,011,840, or $1,920 per airplane.
    The manufacturer has informed the FAA that 94 of the affected 
airplanes are already in compliance with this action. Therefore, the 
estimated total cost impact will be reduced by approximately $180,480 
from $1,011,840, to $831,360.

[[Page 70637]]

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:

98-26-16  Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10959; Docket No. 
97-CE-153-D.
    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                            Serial Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-271.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (d) 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 within the next 600 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To help prevent passengers and crew from not being able to open 
the emergency exit doors during an airplane emergency, which could 
result in passenger and crew injuries, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the airplane emergency exit doors by removing and 
replacing door mechanism pushrods, trimming the existing turnbuckle 
clevises, and re-rigging the emergency exit doors, in accordance 
with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions section in Raytheon 
Aircraft (Raytheon) Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 2740, 
Revision 1, Issued: April, 1997; Revised: June, 1997.
    (b) Install placards on the interior and exterior of the 
emergency exit doors in accordance with Part II and Part III of the 
Accomplishment Instructions section in Raytheon MSB No. 2740, 
Revision 1, Issued: April, 1997; Revised: June, 1997.
    (c) 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.
    (d) 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.

    (e) The modification and installation required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 2740, Revision 1, Issued: April, 1997; Revised: June, 
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 
Corporation, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 5, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 15, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33694 Filed 12-21-98; 8:45 am]
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