[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:
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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-271.
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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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P