[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47142-47144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-157-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to

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certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A airplanes. This proposal would 
require replacement of certain bus bars connecting the battery and 
external power receptacle to the airframe ground with a new, improved 
bus bar. This proposal is prompted by reports of electrical arcing at 
the battery and external power receptacle of the airframe ground in the 
aft fuselage due to a deficiency in the bus bar and washer design. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
overheating or arcing of the ground connection in the aft fuselage 
area, which could result in a fire hazard due to ignition of fuel fumes 
during an engine start sequence.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 14, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-157-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering, 
Hawker Customer Support Department, P. O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip E. Petty, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4139; fax (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-157-AD''. The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-157-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received several reports indicating that electrical 
arcing occurred at the battery and external power receptacle of the 
airframe ground in the aft fuselage on Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A 
airplanes. Further investigation revealed that the battery ground was 
installed with a bus bar and washer that, later analysis showed, were 
too small of a capacity with regard to the battery ground current. 
Additionally, the torque specification that is called out for the bolt 
holding the bus bar and washer is not adequate for electrical 
applications. Such conditions, if not corrected, could result in 
electrical arcing or overheating of the ground connection in the aft 
fuselage area, which could result in a fire hazard due to ignition of 
fuel fumes during an engine start sequence.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Aircraft Service 
Bulletin SB 24-3253, dated January, 1999, which describes procedures 
for replacing certain bus bars connecting the battery and external 
power receptacle to the airframe ground with a new, improved bus bar. 
Accomplishment of the action specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the action specified in the 
service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 122 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 110 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
11 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has 
committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of 
replacement parts. As a result, the cost of those parts is not 
attributable to this proposed AD. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $72, 
600, or $660 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been 
advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for labor 
costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this 
proposed AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on 
U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities

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under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the 
draft regulatory 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Docket No. 99-NM-157-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-78, RK-87 
through RK-207 inclusive, 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 (c) 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent electrical arcing or overheating of the ground 
connection in the aft fuselage area, which could result in a fire 
hazard due to ignition of fuel fumes during an engine start 
sequence, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the two bus bars, part number (P/N) 128-364239-17 and P/N 
101-361146-1, with a new, improved bus bar, P/N 101-364046-231, in 
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 24-3253, dated 
January 1999.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane, a bus bar, P/N 128-364239-17 or P/N 101-361146-1.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit 
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22394 Filed 8-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P