[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68060-68062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31478]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-334-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A and 400T
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 certain Raytheon (Beech) Model
400A and 400T series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time
inspection to detect incorrect wiring of the engine fire extinguisher
bottle squibs, and corrective action, if necessary. It would also
require a modification to the wiring and the addition of wire harness
and bottle labeling for future reference. This proposal is prompted by
reports of incorrect wiring of the engine fire extinguisher bottle
squibs. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to discharge, or
discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher bottle.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 20, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-334-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,
Beechjet/Premier Technical 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 the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Dixon, 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)
946-4152; 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-334-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-334-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received 5 reports indicating that incorrect wiring of
the fire extinguisher bottle squibs was found. This incorrect wiring
consisted of some fire extinguisher bottle squibs having the positive
and negative wires reversed and some fire extinguisher bottle squibs
having the left and right engine fire extinguisher harnesses reversed.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the engine
fire extinguisher bottle to discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine
fire extinguisher bottle.
[[Page 68061]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Aircraft Service
Bulletin SB 26-3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999, which describes
procedures for a one-time inspection to detect incorrect wiring (i.e.,
wiring that does not agree with the wiring manual) of the engine fire
extinguisher bottle squibs, and repair, if necessary. The service
bulletin also describes a modification to the wiring and the addition
of wire harness and bottle labeling for future reference.
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 accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 350 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 310 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
It is estimated that it would take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the inspection portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $18,600, or $60 per airplane.
It is estimated that it would take approximately 2 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the modification portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $37,200, or $120 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $55,800, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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 99-NM-334-AD.
Applicability: Model 400A series airplanes, serial numbers RK-45
and RK-49 through RK-209 inclusive; Model 400T series airplanes (T-
1A), serial numbers TT-01 through TT-180 inclusive; and Model 400T
series airplanes (TX), serial numbers TX-01 through TX-09 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 failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to
discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher
bottle, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Corrective Action
(a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the left and right
engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs to detect wiring that is
incorrect as specified by Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 26-
3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999. Perform the inspection in
accordance with the service bulletin. If any incorrect wiring is
detected, prior to further flight, repair it in accordance with the
service bulletin.
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.''
Modification
(b) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Modify and re-label the wiring of the left and right engine fire
extinguisher bottle squibs, in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft
Service Bulletin SB 26-3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999.
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 (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
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199
[[Page 68062]]
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 November 24, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31478 Filed 12-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P