[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 112 (Friday, June 11, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31491-31493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14536]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-127-AD; Amendment 39-11191; AD 99-12-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 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) Model 1900D 
airplanes. This AD requires replacing the passenger oxygen container 
and mask assembly with an improved design passenger oxygen container 
and mask assembly. This AD is the result of an incident where a 
passenger had put on the oxygen mask and the lanyard pin did not 
automatically pull and initiate oxygen flow during a loss of airplane 
pressurization while in-flight. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the above situation from occurring on other 
airplanes, which could result in passenger injury if the lanyard pin is 
not manually pulled in a timely manner.

DATES: Effective July 23, 1999.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 23, 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) 625-7043 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-127-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.


[[Page 31492]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul C. DeVore, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4142; 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 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 1, 1999 (64 FR 9939). The NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the existing passenger oxygen container 
and mask assembly, part number (P/N) 129-384005-3, with an improved 
design passenger oxygen container and mask assembly, P/N 129-384005-5. 
Accomplishment of the proposed replacement as specified in the NPRM 
would be accomplished by incorporating Puritan Bennett Kit No. 280041-
00: Lanyard Retrofit Drop Out Box, which contains all the necessary 
parts and instructions.
    The NPRM was the result of an incident where a passenger had put on 
the oxygen mask and the lanyard pin did not automatically pull and 
initiate oxygen flow during a loss of airplane pressurization while in-
flight.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of 
the NPRM and no comments were received on 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.

Differences Between the Service Information and This AD

    The compliance time presented in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 35-
3233, Issued: December, 1998, is ``as soon as possible after receipt of 
this Service Bulletin, but no later than 600 hours after receipt of 
this Service Bulletin.'' The FAA concurs that the action should be 
accomplished as soon as possible, but has no way of enforcing this 
compliance time. The FAA also assumes that what Raytheon means by ``600 
hours after receipt of this Service Bulletin'' is 600 hours time-in-
service (TIS).
    In order to assure that the replacement required by this AD is 
accomplished within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently 
grounding the affected airplanes, the FAA is utilizing a compliance 
time of ``within the next 200 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD''.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 300 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided at no cost to the 
owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on the figures 
presented above, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $72,000, or $240 per airplane.
    Raytheon is also offering warranty credit for labor, as well as 
parts, provided that all paperwork is submitted to the manufacturer no 
later than December 31, 1999.

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:

99-12-07  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE 
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
11191; Docket No. 98-CE-127-AD.

    Applicability: Model 1900D airplanes, serial numbers UE-1 
through UE-338, 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 (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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the oxygen mask lanyard pin to 
automatically pull and initiate oxygen flow during a loss of 
airplane pressurization while in-flight, which could result in 
passenger injury if the lanyard pin is not manually pulled in a 
timely manner, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 200 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the passenger oxygen container 
and mask assembly, part number 129-384005-3 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number), with an improved design passenger oxygen 
container and mask assembly, part number 129-384005-5 (or FAA-
approved equivalent part number). Accomplish this replacement by 
incorporating Puritan-Bennett Kit No. 280041-00: Lanyard Retrofit 
Drop Out Box, which contains all the necessary parts and 
instructions. This kit is referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 35-3233, Issued: December, 1998.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any affected airplane, a passenger oxygen container and mask 
assembly that is not of an improved design,

[[Page 31493]]

part number 129-384005-5 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number).
    (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 replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Puritan-Bennett Kit No. 280041-00: Lanyard Retrofit 
Drop Out Box, Revision A01, dated October 21, 1998, as referenced in 
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 35-3233, Issued: December, 
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 
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 July 23, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 2, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-14536 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P