[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 165 (Thursday, August 24, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51562-51564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21617]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Models 
A36, B36TC, and 58 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 Corporation 
(Raytheon) Beech Models A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes. The proposed AD 
would require you to inspect for misrouted rudder control cables; 
replace any worn or damaged guard pins; replace any pulley brackets 
that are damaged or worn; and replace any misrouted rudder control 
cables. Three reports of misrouted cables prompted the proposed action. 
The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to correct the 
misrouted rudder control cable and consequent guard pin wear or fraying 
of the cables with loss of rudder control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 22, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-06-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. You may inspect comments at this location between 
8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    You may get the service information referenced in the proposed AD 
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; on the Internet at 
http://www.raytheon.com/rac/servinfo/27-3265.pdf>. This file is in 
Adobe Portable Document Format. The Acrobat Reader is available at
http://www.adobe.com/>. You may examine this information at the Rules 
Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul C. DeVore, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4142; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on this proposed AD?

    We invite your comments on the 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. We will consider 
all comments received on or before the closing date specified above, 
before acting on the proposed rule. We may change the proposals 
contained in this notice in light of the comments received.

Are there any specific portions of the AD I should pay attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule that 
might necessitate a need to modify the proposed rule. You may examine 
all comments we receive. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that 
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposal.
    The FAA is reexamining the writing style we currently 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 the 
ease of understanding this document, 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.faa.gov/language/.

How can I be sure FAA receives my comment?

    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-06-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What events have caused this proposed AD?

    The FAA has received three reports of instances of misrouted 
cables. In one instance, a report noted complete separation of the 
rudder cable. In another instance, a report noted fraying of the rudder 
cable. Raytheon has issued a mandatory service bulletin affecting these 
model airplanes:

Beech Model A36--serial numbers E-2519 through E-3140
Beech Model B36TC--serial numbers EA-501 through EA-608
Beech Model 58--serial numbers TH-1576 through TH-1838

What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected?

    This condition could result in guard pin wear and separation or 
fraying of the cables with loss of rudder control.

Relevant Service Information

What service information applies to this subject?

    Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3265, dated 
January 2000.

[[Page 51563]]

What are the provisions of this service bulletin?

    The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting for proper 
routing of the rudder control assemblies.

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 A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes of 
the same type design;
--these airplanes should have the actions specified in the above 
service bulletin incorporated; and
--the FAA should take AD action in order to correct this unsafe 
condition.

What does this proposed AD require?

    This proposed AD would require you to:

--inspect for misrouted rudder control cables;
--replace any worn or damaged guard pins;
--replace any pulley brackets that are damaged or worn; and
--replace any misrouted rudder control cables.

What are the differences between the service bulletin and the proposed 
AD?

    Raytheon Aircraft requires you to inspect and, if necessary, 
replace guard pins, pulley brackets, and rudder control cables at the 
next scheduled inspection after receipt of the Service Bulletin, but no 
later than the next 50 flight hours. We propose a requirement that you 
inspect and, if necessary, replace guard pins, pulley brackets, and 
rudder control cables within the next 50 hours time-inservice (TIS) of 
operation after the effective date of the proposed AD. We believe that 
50 hours TIS will give the owners/operators of the affected airplanes 
enough time to have the proposed actions accomplished without 
compromising the safety of the airplanes.

Cost Impact

How many airplanes does this proposed AD impact?

    We estimate that the proposed AD would affect 842 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.

What is the cost impact of the proposed action for the affected 
airplanes on the U.S. Register?

    We estimate that it would take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor 
rate of $60 an hour. Based on the figures presented above, we estimate 
that the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators 
is $50,520, or $60 per airplane.
    We estimate that it would take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed rudder control replacement, at an 
average labor rate of $60 an hour. Based on the cost factors presented 
above, we estimate that the total cost impact of the proposed rudder 
control replacement on U.S. operators is $240 per airplane.
    We estimate that it would take approximately 2 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed rudder pulley bracket replacement, 
at an average labor rate of $60 an hour. Raytheon will provide parts at 
no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on the 
cost factors presented above, we estimate that the total cost impact of 
the proposed rudder pulley bracket replacement on U.S. operators is 
$120 per airplane.
    The manufacturer will also allow warranty credit for labor to the 
extent noted in the service bulletin.

Regulatory Impact

Does this proposed AD impact relations between Federal and State 
governments?

    The proposed regulations 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. We have determined that this proposed 
rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

Does this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under Department of 
Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, 
February 26, 1979); and (3) if put into effect, 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. We have placed a copy of the draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action in the Rules Docket. You may obtain 
a copy of it 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. FAA amends Section 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company:
    Docket No. 2000-CE-06-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? The following Beech 
Models and serial number airplanes, certified in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A36.......................................  E-2519 through E-3140.
B36TC.....................................  EA-501 through EA-608.
58........................................  TH-1576 through TH-1838.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 by 
this AD are intended to correct the misrouted rudder control cable 
and consequent guard pin wear or fraying of the cables with loss of 
rudder control.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

[[Page 51564]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions               Compliance times       Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect rudder control        Inspect within the  Accomplish this
 cables that are routed around     next 50 hours       inspection in
 the pulley and through the        time-in-service     accordance with
 brackets.                         after the           the
                                   effective date of   ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                   this AD, and        INSTRUCTIONS
                                   accomplish all      paragraph of
                                   follow-on           Raytheon
                                   actions, such as    Mandatory Service
                                   replacements        Bulletin SB 27-
                                   before further      3265, Issued:
                                   flight after the    January 2000, and
                                   inspection.         the applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       Maintenance
                                                       Manual or Shop
                                                       Manual.
(i) Replace any worn or damaged
 guard pins.
(ii) Inspect pulley brackets for
 wear and damage, and replace as
 necessary.
(iii) If rudder cables are
 routed properly, check the
 airplane log book to determine
 if a misrouted control cable
 was detected during maintenance
 and the misrouting was
 corrected.
(2) If a misrouting has been      Before further      Accomplish this
 recorded or found during this     flight after the    action in
 inspection, install replacement   inspection.         accordance with
 rudder control cables in                              the
 accordance with the following:                        ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                                       INSTRUCTIONS
                                                       paragraph of
                                                       Raytheon
                                                       Mandatory Service
                                                       Bulletin SB 27-
                                                       3265, Issued:
                                                       January 2000, and
                                                       the applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       Maintenance
                                                       Manual or Shop
                                                       Manual.
(i) Apply corrosion preventive
 compounds, as necessary, to
 provide corrosion protection.
(ii) Install rudder control
 cables.
(iii) Adjust rudder control
 cables to correct tension and
 adjust control surface travel.
(iv) Perform an operational
 checkout of the flight control
 system to ensure proper
 operation of installed rudder
 control cables, pulley
 brackets, guard pins and
 attaching hardware.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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. You should 
include in the request 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? Contact Paul C. DeVore, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4142; 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 get the service information referenced in the AD from 
Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; 
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; on the Internet at 
http://www.raytheon.com/rac/ servinfo/27-3265.pdf>. This file is in 
Adobe Portable Document Format. The Acrobat Reader is available at 
http://www.adobe.com/>. You may examine this document at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21617 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U