[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