[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37311-37313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14942]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-29-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Models 
1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 
Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. The proposed AD would 
require you to modify the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) system. The 
proposed AD is the result of instances where the recording quality of 
the CVR in the affected airplanes was so poor that the information was 
practically unrecoverable. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to correct substandard quality cockpit voice recordings caused 
by the configuration of the present CVR system, which could affect air 
safety if important information that the CVR provides is not available 
after an accident. This information helps determine the probable cause 
of an accident and aids in developing necessary corrective action or 
design changes to prevent future accidents.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this rule on or before August 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-29-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be 
inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 625-7043 or (316) 676-4556. This information 
also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Harvey E. Nero, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4137; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments in triplicate 
to the address specified under the caption ``ADDRESSES.'' The FAA will 
consider all comments received on or before the closing date. We may 
amend the proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual 
information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely 
helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed AD action and 
determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.
    The FAA is re-examining the writing style we presently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on 
whether the style of this document is clearer, and any other 
suggestions you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications 
that affect you. You can get more information about the Presidential 
memorandum and the plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.
    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments 
we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of the 
proposed AD.
    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-29-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The FAA has received reports of six instances where the recording 
quality of

[[Page 37312]]

the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) system in Raytheon Beech Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D airplanes was so poor that the information was 
practically unrecoverable.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is not Corrected?

    Substandard quality cockpit voice recordings could affect air 
safety if important information that the CVR provides is not available 
after an accident. This information helps determine the probable cause 
of an accident and aids in developing necessary corrective action or 
design changes to prevent future accidents.

Relevant Service Information

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Raytheon has issued Recommended Service Bulletin SB 23-3094, 
Issued: November, 1999.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:
    1. Replacing the DB Systems 437 and 437-001 audio amplifiers with 
437-003 configuration amplifiers; and
    2. Incorporating Kit 114-3032-1 and modifying the electrical wiring 
to assure that the audio amplifiers remain connected to the pilot's and 
copilot's microphones during transmissions.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, we have 
determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Raytheon Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes 
of the same type design;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Does This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD requires you to accomplish the actions in Raytheon 
Recommended Service Bulletin SB 23-3094, Issued: November, 1999.

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

What Is the Compliance Time of the Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of the proposed AD is ``within 12 months after 
the effective date of this AD.''

Why Is the Proposed Compliance in Calendar Time Instead of Hours Time-
in-Service (TIS)?

    The unsafe condition defined in this document is not a result of 
the number of times the airplane is operated, rather is a result of the 
present configuration of the CVR system. The chance of this situation 
occurring is the same for an airplane with 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) as it is for an airplane with 1,000 hours TIS. For this reason, 
FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be 
utilized in the proposed AD in order to assure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed on all airplanes in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

What Is the Cost Impact of the Proposed AD on Owners/Operators of the 
Affected Airplanes?

    The following chart provides estimates of the cost this proposed AD 
would impose upon the public:

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                                    Number of
              Action                airplanes          Labor costs          Parts cost         Cost impact
                                     affected
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Replacement/Incorporation of               119  8 workhours at $60 per          $1,728  $262,752, or $2,208 per
 Modification Kit.                               hour=$480 per airplane.                 airplane.
Audio Amplifier Modification and           377  8 workhours at $60 per             679  $463,943, or $1,159 per
 Electrical Wiring Changes.                      hour=$480 per airplane.                 airplane.
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Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 has been placed 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, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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. FAA amends Section 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held 
by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. 2000-CE-29-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? The following 
airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any 
category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Models                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900 and 1900C.........................  All serial number airplanes
                                          with the applicable Raytheon
                                          Aircraft Company (RAC) Kit No.
                                          114-3020 variation (-1, -3, -
                                          7, or -9) incorporated.
1900 and 1900C.........................  All serial number airplanes
                                          with RAC Kit No. 114-3032-1
                                          incorporated.
1900 and 1900C.........................  All serial number airplanes
                                          with RAC Kit No. 114-3008-1
                                          incorporated.

[[Page 37313]]

 
1900 and 1900C.........................  All serial number airplanes
                                          where RAC installed the
                                          cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
1900D..................................  UE-1 through UE-376.
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    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with 
this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified in 
this document are intended to correct substandard quality cockpit 
voice recordings caused by the configuration of the present CVR 
system, which could affect air safety if important information that 
the CVR provides is not available after an accident. This 
information helps determine the probable cause of an accident and 
aids in developing necessary corrective action or design changes to 
prevent future accidents.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action               Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accomplish the CVR system       Within 12 months   Do the modifications
 modifications specified in      after the          in accordance with
 Raytheon Recommended Service    effective date     procedures in the
 Bulletin SB 23-3094, Issued:    of this AD..       ACCOMPLISHMENT
 November 1999..                                    INSTRUCTIONS section
                                                    of Raytheon
                                                    Recommended Service
                                                    Bulletin SB 23-3094,
                                                    Issued: November,
                                                    1999.
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    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note: 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? You can contact Mr. Harvey Nero, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 
Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: (316) 946-4137; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. You may examine these documents at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 6, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14942 Filed 6-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-p