[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 174 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54184-54186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22909]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-42-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Model 
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 Company (Raytheon) 
Beech Model 58 airplanes. The proposed AD would require you to inspect 
the rudder bellcrank interconnect tube for damage; replace or refinish 
the interconnect tube, if necessary; and modify the floorboard. Four 
reports of damage to the interconnect tube prompted the proposed 
action. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
correct the wrong use of screws and consequent wear in the pilot/
copilot pedal interconnect tube, which could result in loss of rudder 
control.

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

ADDRESSES: Send comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-42-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. You may look at 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/27-3013.pdf>. This file is in 
Adobe Portable Document Format. The Acrobat Reader is available at 
http://www.adobe.com/>. You may read 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 send 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 proposed 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-42-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA has received four 
reports of grooves cut in the pilot/copilot rudder interconnect tube. 
The grooves were discovered during routine inspections.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This 
condition could result in jamming or restricting rudder control. 
Raytheon has issued a mandatory service bulletin affecting these Model 
58 Baron airplanes:

--Serial TH-1389; and
--Serials TH-1396 through TH-1885

Relevant Service Information

    What service information applies to this subject? Raytheon has 
issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3013, Issued: June 2000.
    What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service 
bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the rudder bellcrank 
interconnect tube, modifying the floorboard, and refinishing or 
replacing the interconnect tube.

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 Model 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 the rudder bellcrank interconnect tube for damage;
--If necessary, replace or refinish the rudder bellcrank interconnect 
tube; and
--Plug the floorboard screw hole.

    What are the differences between the service bulletin and the 
proposed AD? Raytheon requires you to inspect and, if necessary, 
replace or refinish the rudder

[[Page 54185]]

bellcrank interconnect tube, and plug the floorboard screw hole, as 
soon as possible after receipt of the Service Bulletin, but no later 
than the next scheduled 100 hour or annual inspection. We propose a 
requirement that you plug the floorboard screw hole, inspect and, if 
necessary, replace or refinish the rudder bellcrank interconnect tube 
within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of the 
proposed AD. We believe that 6 calendar months will give the owners/
operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have the proposed 
actions done 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 491 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 4 workhours per airplane to do the proposed modification 
of the floorboard and proposed inspection of the rudder bellcrank 
interconnect tube, 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 modification and inspection on U.S. operators is 
$117,840, or $240 per airplane.
    We estimate it would take 1 hour to either replace or refinish the 
rudder bellcrank interconnect tube. Based on the cost factors presented 
above, we estimate that the total cost impact of replacing or 
refinishing the interconnect tube on U.S. operators is $60 per 
airplane.
    The manufacturer will allow warranty credit for labor and parts to 
the extent noted in the service bulletin.
    These figures only take into account the costs of the proposed 
initial inspection and do not take into account the cost of replacement 
parts that you might require because of the initial inspection.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this 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 AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 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, under 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-42-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? Beech Model 58 
airplanes, serial numbers TH-1389, and TH-1396 through TH-1885, 
certificated in any category.
    (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 wrong use of screws and 
consequent wear in the pilot/copilot pedal interconnect tube, which 
could result in loss of rudder control.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must do the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the rudder        Inspect within the    Do this inspection
 bellcrank interconnect tube   next 6 calendar       in accordance with
 for damage and ensure the     months after the      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 floorboard panel screws are   effective date of     INSTRUCTIONS
 \3/4\ inch or less in         this AD.              paragraph of
 length. Screws that are                             Raytheon Mandatory
 longer than \3/4\ inch in                           Service Bulletin SB
 length can damage parts                             27-3013, Issued:
 installed immediately below                         June 2000, and the
 the floorboards.                                    Baron Model 58 Shop
                                                     Manual.
(2) If you find no damage to  Do all follow-on      Do these actions in
 the rudder bellcrank          actions, such as      accordance with the
 interconnect tube, if         replacement or        ACCOMPLISHMENT
 longer than \3/4\ inch,       repair, before        INSTRUCTIONS
 discard the screw from the    further flight        paragraph of
 center screw hole position.   after the             Raytheon Mandatory
                               inspection..          Service Bulletin SB
                                                     27-3013, Issued:
                                                     June 2000, and the
                                                     Baron 58 Shop
                                                     Manual
(3) If you find damage to
 the rudder bellcrank
 interconnect tube, and the
 damage has not worn into
 the aluminum interconnect
 tube, refinish the
 interconnect tube.
(4) If you find damage to
 the rudder bellcrank
 interconnect tube, and the
 damage has worn into the
 aluminum interconnect tube,
 you must replace the
 interconnect tube.
(5) Plug the floorboard
 screw hole.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 54186]]

    (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. Send 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, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 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 do 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; or on the Internet at 
http://www.raytheon.com/rac/ servinfo/27-3013.pdf>. This file is in 
Adobe Portable Document Format. The Acrobat Reader is available at 
http://www.adobe.com/>. You may read 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 31, 2000.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22909 Filed 9-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P