[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47376-47377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22534]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-56-AD; Amendment 39-11281; AD 99-18-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Models
C90A, B200, B300, and 1900D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Models C90A,
B200, B300, and 1900D airplanes. This AD requires replacing the landing
gear hand pump for airplanes that had a pump within a certain serial
number range installed at manufacture; and prohibits the future
installation of any of these pumps on all of the affected airplanes.
This AD is the result of information from the manufacturer of improper
machining of the pump housing on certain landing gear emergency hand
pumps on the affected airplanes. This resulted in an insufficient
groove depth to retain a snap ring, which retains the check valve in
its proper position within the housing. The actions specified in this
AD are intended to detect any improperly machined landing gear
emergency hand pumps, which, if not removed from service, could result
in the inability to properly lower and lock the landing gear in the
event of failure of the primary retraction/extension system.
DATES: Effective September 27, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 27, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-56-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-56-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul DeVore, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4142;
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA has received information from the Raytheon Aircraft
Corporation (Raytheon) of improper machining of the pump housing on
landing gear emergency hand pumps, part number 101-388007-3, serial
numbers 2702 through 2833; that are installed on certain Raytheon Beech
Models C90A, B200, B300, and 1900D airplanes. This resulted in an
insufficient groove depth to retain a snap ring, which retains the
check valve in its proper position within the housing. These landing
gear emergency hand pumps may have been installed at manufacture on
airplanes within the following serial number range:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C90A............................. LJ-1526 through LJ-1550.
B200............................. BB-1628 through BB-1659.
B300............................. FL-213 through FL-237.
1900D............................ UE-346 through UE-356, UE-358, and UE-
367.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing to utilize these pumps in service could result in the
inability to properly lower and lock the landing gear in the event of
failure of the primary retraction/extension system.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has
determined that:
--These improperly machined landing gear emergency hand pumps should be
removed from service; and
--AD action should be taken to prevent the above-referenced condition
from occurring.
Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Raytheon Beech Models C90A, B200, B300, and
1900D airplanes of the same type design, the FAA is taking AD action.
This AD requires replacing the landing gear hand pump for airplanes
that had a pump within a certain serial number range installed at
manufacture; and prohibits the future installation of any of these
pumps on all of the affected airplanes.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public
prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should 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 will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 99-CE-56-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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,
[[Page 47377]]
it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules
Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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:
99-18-15 Raytheon Aircraft Company (All type certificates of the
affected airplanes previously held by the Beech Aircraft
Corporation): Amendment 39-11281; Docket No. 99-CE-56-AD.
Applicability: The following Raytheon Beech airplane models and
serial numbers, certificated in any category:
Replacement Requirements of Paragraph (a) of this AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C90A............................. LJ-1526 through LJ-1550.
B200............................. BB-1628 through BB-1659.
B300............................. FL-213 through FL-237.
1900D............................ UE-346 through UE-356, UE-358, and UE-
367.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation Requirements of Paragraph (b) of this AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C90A............................. All serial numbers.
B200............................. All serial numbers.
B300............................. All serial numbers.
1900D............................ 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 (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.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To detect any improperly machined landing gear emergency hand
pumps, which, if not removed from service, could result in the
inability to properly lower and lock the landing gear in the event
of failure of the primary retraction/extension system, accomplish
the following:
(a) For the airplanes referenced in the Replacement Requirements
of Paragraph (a) of this AD portion of the Applicability section of
this AD: Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, replace any landing gear emergency hand
pump, part number 101-388007-3, that incorporates a serial number in
the range of 2702 through 2833.
Note 2: This AD allows the aircraft owner or pilot to check the
maintenance records to determine whether the landing gear emergency
hand pump, part number 101-388007-3, has been replaced with one
outside the serial number range of 2702 through 2833. See paragraph
(c) of this AD for authorization.
(b) For the airplanes referenced in the Installation
Requirements of Paragraph (b) of this AD portion of the
Applicability section of this AD: As of the effective date of this
AD, no person may install a landing gear emergency hand pump, part
number 101-388007-3, that incorporates a serial number in the range
of 2702 through 2833.
(c) 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) may check the maintenance records to
determine whether the landing gear emergency hand pump, part number
101-388007-3, that is installed incorporates a serial number outside
the range of 2702 through 2833. If, by checking the maintenance
records, it can be positively shown that an actuator with a serial
number outside of the range of 2702 through 2833 is installed, the
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD do not apply and the owner/
operator must make an entry into the aircraft records showing
compliance with this portion of the AD in accordance with section
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
(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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 27, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 23, 1999.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22534 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U