[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75607-75609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28438]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-42-AD; Amendment 39-11965; AD 2000-22-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Model 
58 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Model 58

[[Page 75608]]

airplanes. This AD requires 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 this action. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 29, 2000.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
December 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this 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 examine this information at 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

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:

Discussion

    What events have caused this 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.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to certain Raytheon Beech Model 58 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 7, 2000 (65 FR 
54184). The NPRM proposed to 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.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No 
comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination 
of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:

--will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 491 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
modification of the floorboard and inspection of the rudder bellcrank 
interconnect tube:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane     airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $240..  Parts are provided at    $240 per airplane......  $240  x  491 =
                                        no charge under                                   $117,840.
                                        warranty.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification or 
replacement of the bellcrank interconnect tube:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane     airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60....  Parts are provided at    $60 per airplane.......  $60  x  491 = $29,460.
                                        no charge under
                                        warranty.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: The manufacturer will allow warranty credit for labor and 
parts to the extent noted in the service bulletin.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein will 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 final rule does 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 DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final 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, Incorporation by 
Reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

[[Page 75609]]

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 Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-22-18  Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-11965; Docket 
No. 2000-CE-42-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Beech Model 58 airplanes; serial numbers TH-1389, and TH-1396 
through TH-1885, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes 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 actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions              Compliance times        Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the rudder          Inspect within     Do this inspection in
 bellcrank interconnect tube     the next 6         accordance with the
 for damage and ensure the       calendar months    ACCOMPLISHMENT
 floorboard panel screws are     after December     INSTRUCTIONS
 \3/4\ inch or less in length.   29, 2000 (the      paragraph of
 Screws that are longer than     effective date     Raytheon Mandatory
 \3/4\ inch in length can        of this AD).       Service Bulletin SB
 damage parts installed                             27-3013, Issued:
 immediately below the                              June 2000, and the
 floorboards.                                       Baron Model 58 Shop
                                                    Manual.
(2) If you find no damage to    Before further     Do these actions in
 the rudder bellcrank            flight after the   accordance with the
 interconnect tube, discard      inspection.        ACCOMPLISHMENT
 any self-tapping coarse                            INSTRUCTIONS
 thread screw installed in the                      paragraph of
 flanges that is longer than                        Raytheon Mandatory
 \3/4\ inch.                                        Service Bulletin SB
                                                    27-3013, Issued:
                                                    June 2000, and the
                                                    Baron 58 Shop
                                                    Manual.
(3) If you find damage to the   Before further     Do these actions in
 rudder bellcrank interconnect   flight after the   accordance with the
 tube, and the damage has not    inspection.        ACCOMPLISHMENT
 worn into the aluminum                             INSTRUCTIONS
 interconnect tube, refinish                        paragraph of
 the interconnect tube and                          Raytheon Mandatory
 discard any self-tapping                           Service Bulletin SB
 coarse thread screw installed                      27-3013, Issued:
 in the flanges that is longer                      June 2000, and the
 than \3/4\ inch.                                   Baron 58 Shop
                                                    Manual.
(4) If you find damage to the   Before further     Do these actions in
 rudder bellcrank interconnect   flight after the   accordance with the
 tube, and the damage has worn   inspection.        ACCOMPLISHMENT
 into the aluminum                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 interconnect tube, you must                        paragraph of
 replace the interconnect tube                      Raytheon Mandatory
 and discard any self-tapping                       Service Bulletin SB
 coarse thread screw installed                      27-3013, Issued:
 in the flanges that is longer                      June 2000, and the
 than \3/4\ inch.                                   Baron 58 Shop
                                                    Manual.
(5) Plug the floorboard screw   Before further     Do these actions in
 hole.                           flight after the   accordance with the
                                 inspection.        ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                                    INSTRUCTIONS
                                                    paragraph of
                                                    Raytheon Mandatory
                                                    Service Bulletin SB
                                                    27-3013, Issued:
                                                    June 2000, and the
                                                    Baron 58 Shop
                                                    Manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3013, Issued: June 
2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You can get copies 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 can look 
at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on December 29, 2000.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 30, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28438 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P