[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3816-3817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1238]



[[Page 3816]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-11006; AD 99-02-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 2000 
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) Model 2000 
airplanes (commonly referred to as Beech Model 2000 airplanes). This AD 
requires inspecting the stainless steel fuel line, part number (P/N) 
3035737, for evidence of chafing and a minimum clearance between the 
fuel line and power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1; and replacing the 
fuel line and modifying the power lever bracket, as necessary. This AD 
is the result of chafing found on the stainless steel fuel line on 
several of the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this 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: Effective March 5, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 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; telephone: (800) 625-7043. This information may also be examined 
at 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; or at the Office 
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott West, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4146; 
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 
Model 2000 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 2, 1998 (63 FR 46711). The 
NPRM proposed to require inspecting the stainless steel fuel line, part 
number (P/N) 3035737, for evidence of chafing and a minimum clearance 
between the fuel line and power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1; and 
replacing the fuel line and modifying the power lever bracket, as 
necessary. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the 
NPRM would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB.28-3104, Issued: September, 1997.
    The NPRM was the result of chafing found on the stainless steel 
fuel line on several of the affected airplanes.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

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 49 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this 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 this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $34,545, or $705 per airplane.

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:
99-02-14  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A38CE 
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
11006; 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.

[[Page 3817]]

    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) The inspection, replacement, and modification required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB.28.3104, Issued: September, 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 Company, 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 5, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 12, 1999.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1238 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U