[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10560-10561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5148]



[[Page 10560]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-61-AD; Amendment 39-11061; AD 99-05-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company 17, 18, 19, 
23, 24, 33, 35, 36/A36, A36TC/B36TC, 45, 50, 55, 56, 58, 58P, 58TC, 60, 
65, 70, 76, 77, 80, 88, and 95 Series 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) 17, 18, 19, 23, 
24, 33, 35, 36/A36, A36TC/B36TC, 45, 50, 55, 56, 58, 58P, 58TC, 60, 65, 
70, 76, 77, 80, 88, and 95 series airplanes. This AD requires 
installing a placard on the fuel tank selector to warn of the no-flow 
condition that exists between the fuel tank detents. This AD is the 
result of reports of engine stoppage on the affected airplanes where 
the cause was considered to be incorrect positioning of the fuel 
selector. The actions specified by this AD are intended to help prevent 
a lack of fuel flow to the engine caused by incorrect positioning of 
the fuel selector, which could result in loss of engine power.

DATES: Effective April 19, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 0625-7043 or (316) 676-4556. 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-61-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, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 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 17, 
18, 19, 23, 24, 33, 35, 36/A36, A36TC/B36TC, 45, 50, 55, 56, 58, 58P, 
58TC, 60, 65, 70, 76, 77, 80, 88, and 95 series airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
October 9, 1998 (63 FR 54399). The NPRM proposed to require installing 
a placard, part number 36-920059-1, on the fuel tank selector to warn 
of the no-flow condition that exists between the fuel tank detents. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2670, 
Revision No. 1, dated May, 1998.
    The NPRM was the result of reports of engine stoppage on the 
affected airplanes where the cause was considered to be incorrect 
positioning of the fuel selector.
    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 15,200 airplanes in the U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD. The placard that will be required for this AD 
may be obtained through a Raytheon Aircraft Authorized Service Center 
at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Since an 
owner/operator who holds at least a private pilot's certificate as 
authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.9 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.9) may accomplish this placard 
installation, the only cost impact upon the public will be the 
approximate 30 minutes it will take each owner/operator to install the 
placard.

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:

99-05-13  Raytheon Aircraft Company (All type certificates of the 
affected airplanes previously held by the Beech Aircraft 
Corporation): Amendment 39-11061; Docket No. 98-CE-61-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B17L......................................  all serial numbers.
SB17L.....................................  all serial numbers.
B17B......................................  all serial numbers.

[[Page 10561]]

 
B17R (Army UC-43H)........................  all serial numbers.
C17L (Army UC-43J)........................  all serial numbers.
SC17L.....................................  all serial numbers.
C17B (Army UC-43G)........................  all serial numbers.
SC17B.....................................  all serial numbers.
C17R (Army UC-43E)........................  all serial numbers.
SC17R.....................................  all serial numbers.
D17A (Army UC-43F)........................  all serial numbers.
D17R (Army UC-43A)........................  all serial numbers.
D17S (Army UC-43, UC-43B, Navy GB-1, GB-2)  all serial numbers.
SD17S.....................................  all serial numbers.
E17B (Army UC-43D.........................  all serial numbers.
SE17B.....................................  all serial numbers.
E17L......................................  all serial numbers.
F17D (UC-43C).............................  all serial numbers.
SF17D.....................................  all serial numbers.
G17S......................................  all serial numbers.
D18S......................................  all serial numbers.
E18S......................................  all serial numbers.
E18S-9700.................................  all serial numbers.
G18S......................................  all serial numbers.
G18S-9150.................................  all serial numbers.
H18.......................................  all serial numbers.
A23-19....................................  all serial numbers.
19A.......................................  all serial numbers.
M19A......................................  all serial numbers.
B19.......................................  all serial numbers.
23........................................  all serial numbers.
A23.......................................  all serial numbers.
A23A......................................  all serial numbers.
B23.......................................  all serial numbers.
C23.......................................  all serial numbers.
A23-24....................................  all serial numbers.
A24.......................................  all serial numbers.
A24R......................................  all serial numbers.
B24R......................................  all serial numbers.
C24R......................................  all serial numbers.
F33A......................................  CE-290 through CE-1791.
E33C and F33C.............................  CJ-26 through CJ-179.
35........................................  all serial numbers.
35R.......................................  all serial numbers.
A35.......................................  all serial numbers.
B35.......................................  all serial numbers.
C35.......................................  all serial numbers.
D35.......................................  all serial numbers.
E35.......................................  all serial numbers.
F35.......................................  all serial numbers.
G35.......................................  all serial numbers.
H35.......................................  all serial numbers.
J35.......................................  all serial numbers.
K35.......................................  all serial numbers.
M35.......................................  all serial numbers.
N35.......................................  all serial numbers.
P35.......................................  all serial numbers.
S35.......................................  all serial numbers.
V35.......................................  all serial numbers.
V35TC.....................................  all serial numbers.
V35A......................................  all serial numbers.
V35A-TC...................................  all serial numbers.
V35B......................................  all serial numbers.
V35B-TC...................................  all serial numbers.
36........................................  all serial numbers.
A36.......................................  E-185 through E-3046.
A36TC.....................................  all serial numbers.
B36TC.....................................  EA-242 through EA-591.
45........................................  all serial numbers.
A45.......................................  all serial numbers.
D45.......................................  all serial numbers.
50........................................  all serial numbers.
B50.......................................  all serial numbers.
C50.......................................  all serial numbers.
D50.......................................  all serial numbers.
D50A......................................  all serial numbers.
D50B......................................  all serial numbers.
D50C......................................  all serial numbers.
D50E......................................  all serial numbers.
E50.......................................  all serial numbers.
F50.......................................  all serial numbers.
G50.......................................  all serial numbers.
H50.......................................  all serial numbers.
J50.......................................  all serial numbers.
95-55.....................................  all serial numbers.
95-A55....................................  all serial numbers.
95-B55....................................  all serial numbers.
95-C55....................................  all serial numbers.
D55.......................................  all serial numbers.
E55.......................................  all serial numbers.
56TC......................................  all serial numbers.
A56TC.....................................  all serial numbers.
58........................................  TH-1 through TH-1798.
58P.......................................  all serial numbers.
58TC......................................  all serial numbers.
60........................................  all serial numbers.
A60.......................................  all serial numbers.
B60.......................................  all serial numbers.
65........................................  all serial numbers.
A65.......................................  all serial numbers.
A65-8200..................................  all serial numbers.
70........................................  all serial numbers.
76........................................  all serial numbers.
77........................................  all serial numbers.
65-80.....................................  all serial numbers.
65-A80....................................  all serial numbers.
65-B80....................................  all serial numbers.
65-88.....................................  all serial numbers.
95........................................  all serial numbers.
B95.......................................  all serial numbers.
B95A......................................  all serial numbers.
D95A......................................  all serial numbers.
E95.......................................  all serial numbers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 75 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent a lack of fuel flow to the engine caused by incorrect 
positioning of the fuel selector, which could result in loss of 
engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) Install a placard, part number 36-920059-1, on the fuel tank 
selector to warn of the no-flow condition that exists between the 
fuel tank detents. Accomplish this installation in accordance with 
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2670, Revision No. 1, dated 
May, 1998.
    (b) Installing the placard, as specified in paragraph (a) of 
this AD, may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a 
private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into 
the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance 
with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (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 installation required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2670, 
Revision No. 1, dated May, 1998. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 19, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 24, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5148 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P