[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1253-1255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-183]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 5 / Monday, January 8, 2001 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 1253]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-79-AD; Amendment 39-12066; AD 2000-26-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Models 
A36, B36TC, and 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 Models 
A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect for 
missing rivets on the right hand side of the fuselage and, if 
necessary, install rivets. Raytheon has identified several instances of 
missing rivets on these airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to install missing rivets in the right hand fuselage panel 
assembly in the area above the right wing and below the cabin door 
threshold. These rivets must be present for the fuselage to carry the 
ultimate load and prevent critical structural failure with loss of 
airplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 16, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
February 16, 2001.

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. You may examine this 
information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-
CE-79-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: T.N. Baktha, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; facsimile: 
(316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    Raytheon has identified several instances of missing rivets on 
these airplanes:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                              Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A36 Bonanza......................  serials E-1 through E-3231; and
                                          E-3233.
Model B36TC Bonanza....................  serials EA-1 through EA-635.
Model 58 Baron.........................  serials TH-1 through TH-1811;
                                          and TH-1813 through TH-1897.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Raytheon production and inspection personnel identified the missing 
rivets. The missing rivets are the result of a quality control problem.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition results in the airplane being unable to carry the 
ultimate load with possible structural failure and loss of airplane 
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 Models A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on September 26, 2000 (65 FR 57751). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to inspect for missing rivets on the right hand 
fuselage and if necessary, install rivets.

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 3632 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 inspection:

[[Page 1254]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60....  No parts required for    $60 per airplane.......  $60  x  = $217,920.
                                        the inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification if 
necessary:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total cost per
           Laobor cost                Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workouts  x  $60 per hour =     $100 per airplane.  $340 per airplane.
 $240.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

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:

2000-26-16 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12066; Docket No. 
99-CE-79-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplanes, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                              Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A36..............................  E-1 through E-3231, and E-3233.
Model B36TC............................  EA-1 through EA-635.
Model 58...............................  TH-1 through TH-1811, and TH-
                                          1813 through TH-1897.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 install missing rivets in the right hand 
fuselage panel assembly in the area above the right wing and below 
the cabin door threshold. These rivets must be present for the 
fuselage to carry the ultimate load and prevent critical structural 
failure with loss of control of the airplane.
    (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 for up to 9 missing   Inspect within the  Do this inspection
 rivets between fuselage station   next 100 hours      in accordance
 (F.S.) 83.00 and F.S. 91.00 at    time-in-service     with the
 water line (W.L.) 90.3.           after February      ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                   16, 2001 (the       INSTRUCTIONS
                                   effective date of   paragraph of
                                   this AD).           Raytheon
                                                       Mandatory Service
                                                       Bulletin SB 53-
                                                       3341, Revision 1,
                                                       Revised: May
                                                       2000, and the
                                                       Bonanza Series
                                                       Maintenance
                                                       Manual or Baron
                                                       Model 58 Series
                                                       Maintenance
                                                       Manual.
(2) If you find rivets are        Before further      Do these actions
 missing, install these rivets.    flight after the    in accordance
                                   inspection.         with the
                                                       ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                                       INSTRUCTIONS
                                                       paragraph of
                                                       Raytheon
                                                       Mandatory Service
                                                       Bulletin SB 53-
                                                       3341, Revision 1,
                                                       Revised: May
                                                       2000, and the
                                                       Bonanza Series
                                                       Maintenance
                                                       Manual or Baron
                                                       Model 58 Series
                                                       Maintenance
                                                       Manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1255]]

    (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. 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? Contact T.N. Baktha, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4155; 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) 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 53-3341, Revision 1, 
revised May 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. 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 February 16, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-183 Filed 1-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P