[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50018-50020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23996]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-176-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model BAe.125 Series 1000A and 
1000B, and Model Hawker 1000 Series 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 all Raytheon Model BAe.125 Series 
1000A and 1000B, and Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes. This proposal 
would require inspection of P1 pitot pipes for chafing or damage, and 
various follow-on actions. This proposal is prompted by reports of P1 
pitot pipes chafing against adjacent flight control cables. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent a hole in the P1 
pitot pipes, which would lead to erroneous input to the instrumentation 
and warning systems associated with the pilot's instruments.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-176-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, 9709 East Central, Wichita, 
Kansas 67206. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 
the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul C. DeVore, 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) 
946-4142; 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-176-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-176-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports indicating that the P1 pitot pipes 
have been found chafing against adjacent flight control cables on 
Raytheon Model BAe.125 Series 1000A and 1000B, and Model Hawker 1000 
series airplanes. Such chafing has been attributed to installation with 
inadequate clearance during manufacture. This condition, if not 
corrected, could wear a hole through the P1 pitot pipes, which would 
result in erroneous input to the instrumentation and warning systems 
associated with the pilot's instruments.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.34-
3028, dated January 1998, which describes procedures for inspection of 
P1 pitot pipes for chafing or damage, and various follow-on actions. If 
no chafing or damage is detected, follow-on actions consist of ensuring 
that a minimum clearance of 0.25 inch exists between the flight control 
cables and the adjacent P1 pitot pipes, and repositioning the P1 pitot 
pipes as necessary to achieve this clearance. If any chafing or damage 
is detected, follow-on actions include replacing discrepant parts with 
new parts; ensuring that a minimum clearance of 0.25 inch exists 
between the flight control cables and the adjacent P1 pitot pipes; 
inspecting the flight control cables in the area of wear for damage; 
and testing the P1 pitot system to ensure proper function. 
Accomplishment of the actions 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 inspection of P1 pitot pipes for chafing or 
damage, and replacement of discrepant parts with new parts; and 
checking the installation to ensure a minimum clearance of 0.25 inch 
exists between the flight control cables and the adjacent pipe, and 
corrective actions, if necessary. If evidence of chafing is found, the 
proposed AD also would require a test of the P1 pitot system to ensure 
proper function, and inspection of the adjacent flight control cables 
for any sign of damage. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously, except as discussed below.
    If the test of the P1 pitot system fails, or if any damage to the 
flight control cables is found, this proposed AD would require 
corrective actions in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the service bulletin 
recommends accomplishing the inspection of P1 pitot pipes for damage, 
and follow-on actions, if necessary, during the next scheduled hourly 
airframe inspection, the FAA has determined that a compliance time of 
150 flight hours after the effective date of this AD for initiating the 
required actions is warranted, in that it represents an appropriate 
interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to

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continue to operate without compromising safety. In developing an 
appropriate compliance time for this AD, the FAA considered not only 
the manufacturer's recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated 
with addressing the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization 
of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to perform the inspection 
(one hour). The FAA finds that a compliance time of 150 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD would also closely correspond to 
the time of the next scheduled hourly airframe inspection.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 52 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,340, or $60 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.

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 
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: Docket 99-NM-176-AD.

    Applicability: All Model BAe.125 Series 1000A and 1000B, and 
Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes; 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 (b) 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 a hole in the P1 pitot pipes, which would lead to 
erroneous input to the instrumentation and warning systems 
associated with the pilot's instruments, accomplish the following:

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 150 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect chafing or 
damage of the P1 pitot pipes, in accordance with Raytheon Service 
Bulletin SB.34-3028, dated January 1998.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is 
defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (1) If no chafing or damage is found, prior to further flight, 
ensure a clearance of 0.25 inch or more exists between the P1 pitot 
pipes and flight control cables. If clearance is less than 0.25 
inch, prior to further flight, reposition the P1 pitot pipes to 
achieve 0.25-inch clearance, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (2) If a pitot pipe is found to be chafed or damaged, prior to 
further flight, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2)(i), 
(a)(2)(ii), and (a)(2)(iii) of this AD.
    (i) Replace the discrepant pitot pipe with a new pipe, and 
ensure that a clearance of 0.25 inch or more exists between the 
flight control cables and the new pitot pipe, in accordance with the 
service bulletin. If clearance is less than 0.25 inch, reposition 
the P1 pitot pipes to achieve 0.25-inch clearance, in accordance 
with the service bulletin.
    (ii) Perform a general visual inspection for damage of the 
flight control cables adjacent to the area of chafing or damage of 
the P1 pitot pipes, in accordance with the service bulletin. If 
damage is found, replace the damaged flight control cables with new 
cables in accordance with Chapter 20-10-31 of the Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual.
    (iii) Perform a test of the P1 pitot system to ensure proper 
function, in accordance with the service bulletin. If the P1 pitot 
system fails the test, perform the corrective actions specified in 
Chapter 34-11-00 of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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 (ACO), 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 3: 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

    (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.


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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 8, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23996 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P