[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49112-49113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23622]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-313-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 
1000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); proposed rescission.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Raytheon Model BAe 125-1000A and 
Hawker 1000 series airplanes, that currently requires inspections of 
the thrust reverser system for integrity, and correction of any 
discrepancy found. The actions specified by that AD are intended to 
prevent a significant reduction in the controllability of the airplane 
due to an in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser. Since the issuance 
of that AD, the FAA has issued a separate AD that requires the 
accomplishment of modifications that terminate the requirements of the 
existing AD.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-313-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.
    Information pertaining to this proposed rule may be examined at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

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 97-NM-313-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. 97-NM-313-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On April 20, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-09-11, amendment 39-8900 
(59 FR 22125, April 29, 1994), applicable to certain Raytheon Model BAe 
125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes, to require inspections of 
the thrust reverser system for integrity, and correction of any 
discrepancy found. That action was prompted by a report that there is a 
possibility of failure of the drive links (or attachments) on the 
thrust reversers of these airplanes due to the single link design 
concept of the thrust reverser link and lock system. That condition, if 
not corrected, could result in inadvertent deployment of a thrust 
reverser during flight. The requirements of that AD are intended to 
prevent a significant reduction in the controllability of the airplane 
due to an in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser.

[[Page 49113]]

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has issued AD 96-22-03, 
amendment 39-9792 (61 FR 57295, November 6, 1996), which requires 
modifications of the thrust reversers on certain Raytheon Model BAe 
125-1000A and Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes. AD 96-22-03 became 
effective on December 11, 1996, and the actions specified in that AD 
were required to be accomplished within 6 months after that date.

FAA's Conclusions

    Since the actions required by AD 96-22-03 were required to be 
accomplished by June 11, 1997, and because such accomplishment 
constitutes terminating action for the requirements of AD 94-09-11, the 
FAA has determined that it is necessary to rescind AD 94-09-11 in order 
to prevent operators from performing an unnecessary action.
    This proposed action would rescind AD 94-09-11. Rescission of AD 
94-09-11 would constitute only such action, and, if followed by a final 
action, would not preclude the agency from issuing another notice in 
the future, nor would it commit the agency to any course of action in 
the future.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry are affected 
by AD 94-09-11. The actions that are currently required by that AD take 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $180 per airplane. However, the adoption of this proposed 
rescission would eliminate those costs.

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 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 
Dcket 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 removing amendment 39-8900.

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-. Docket 97-NM-313-AD. 
Rescinds AD 94-09-11, Amendment 39-8900.

    Applicability: Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series 
airplanes; as listed in Raytheon Corporate Jets Service Bulletin SB 
78-12, dated January 4, 1994; certificated in any category.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 3, 1999.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23622 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
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