[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51791-51794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20135]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-80-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company 65, 90, 99, 
100, 200, and 300 Series, and Model 2000 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) 
65, 90, 99, 100, 200, and 300 series, and Model 2000 airplanes. The 
proposed AD would require you to install new exterior operating 
instruction placards for the airstair door and emergency exits. The 
proposed AD is the result of Raytheon improving the visibility and 
understandability of the door operating instruction placards. This was 
done as a result of difficulty opening the emergency exits of a similar 
type design airplane. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to assure that clear and complete operating instructions are 
visible for opening the airstair door and emergency exits. If not 
visible or understandable, this could result in the inability to open 
the airstair door or emergency exits during an emergency situation.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before October 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-80-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2000-CE-80-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may also view 
this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    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 to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule.
    You may view 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 contact we have with the public that 
concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.

[[Page 51792]]

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-80-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    FAA believes that the instructions for opening the airstair door 
and emergency exits are either not visible or not easy to understand on 
Raytheon 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, and 300 series, and Model 2000 
airplanes. This is based on an accident that resulted in the issuance 
of AD 97-04-02. AD 97-04-02 was later superseded by AD 98-21-20 to 
incorporate more visible and understandable instructions.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition is Not Corrected?

    If the exterior door operating instruction placards are not visible 
or understandable, this could result in the inability to open the 
airstair door or emergency exits during an emergency situation.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 52-3096, Rev. 1, 
Revised: June, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for installing new 
exterior placards with improved operating instructions for the airstair 
door and emergency exits on the affected airplanes.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
this 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 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, and 300 series, and 
Model 2000 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 Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to install new exterior 
operating instruction placards for the airstair door and emergency 
exits.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would the Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that the proposed AD would affect 3,587 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                Parts cost       Total cost per airplane     Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =   Approximately      $120 + $190 = $310          $310  x  3,587 = $1,111,970
 $120.                            $190 per
                                  airplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The manufacturer will provide warranty credit for labor and parts 
to the extent noted under MANPOWER and MATERIAL in Raytheon Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 52-3096, Rev. 1, Revised: June, 2002.

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD is ``within the next 200 
hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD or 
within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.''

Why Is the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD Presented in Both Hours 
TIS and Calendar Time?

    The unsafe condition on these airplanes is not a result of the 
number of times the airplane is operated. Airplane operation varies 
among operators. For example, one operator may operate the airplane 50 
hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or 
more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has 
determined that the compliance time of the proposed AD should be 
specified in both hours time-in-service (TIS) and calendar time in 
order to assure this condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over 
time.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    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.

Would 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 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 
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.

[[Page 51793]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. 2000-CE-80-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category;

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C90, and C90A..  LJ-1 through LJ-1530.
(2) 65-A90-1 (U-21A)...................  LM-1 through LM-125.
(3) 65-A90-1 (U-21G)...................  LM-126 through LM-141.
(4) 65-A90-2 (RU-21B)..................  LS-1 through LS-3.
(5) 65-A90-3 (RU-21C)..................  LT-1 and LT-2.
(6) 65-A90-4 (RU-21E)..................  LU-1 through LU-16.
(7) E90................................  LW-1 through LW-347.
(8) F90................................  LA-2 through LA-236.
(9) H90 (T-44A)........................  LL-1 through LL-61.
(10) 99, 99A, A99A, B99, and C99.......  U-1 through U-239.
(11) 100 and A100......................  B-1 through B-94 and B-100
                                          through B-247.
(12) A100 (U-21F)......................  B95 through B-99.
(13) A100-1 (U-21J)....................  BB-3 through BB-5.
(14) A200 (C-12A) and (C-12C)..........  BC-1 through BC-75 and BD-1
                                          through BD-30.
(15) A200C (UC-12B)....................  BJ-1 through BJ-66.
(16) A200CT (C-12D)....................  BP-1, BP-22, and BP-24 through
                                          BP-51.
(17) A200CT (C-12F)....................  BP-52 through BP-63.
(18) A200CT (FWC-12D)..................  BP-7 through BP-11.
(19) A200CT (RC-12D)...................  GR-1 through GR-12.
(20) A200CT (RC-12G)...................  FC-1 through FC-3.
(21) A200CT (RC-12H)...................  GR-14 through GR-19.
(22) A200CT (RC-12K)...................  FE-1 through FE-9.
(23) A200CT (RC-12P)...................  FE-25 through FE-31, FE-33, and
                                          FE-35.
(24) A200CT (RC-12Q)...................  FE-32, FE-34, and FE-36.
(25) B100..............................  BE-1 through BE-137.
(26) B200 and 200......................  BB-2, BB-6 through BB-1313, BB-
                                          1315 through BB-1384, and BB-
                                          1389 through BB-1662.
(27) B200C and 200C....................  BL-1 through BL-72, and BL-124
                                          through BL-140.
(28) B200C (C-12F).....................  BL-73 through BL-112, BL-118
                                          through BL-123, and BP-64
                                          through BP-71.
(29) B200C (C-12R).....................  BW-1 through BW-29.
(30) B200C (UC-12F)....................  BU-1 through BU-10.
(31) B200C (UC-12M)....................  BV-1 through BV-10.
(32) B200CT and 200CT..................  BN-1 through BN-4.
(33) B200T and 200T....................  BT-1 through BT-38, and BB-
                                          1314.
(34) 300...............................  FA-1 through FA-230, and FF-1
                                          through FF-19.
(35) B300..............................  FL-1 through FL-252.
(36) B300C.............................  FM-1 through FM-9, and FN-1.
(37) 2000..............................  NC-4 through NC-53.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to assure that clear and complete operating 
instructions are visible for opening the airstair door and emergency 
exits. If not visible or understandable, this could result in the 
inability to open the airstair door or emergency exits during an 
emergency situation.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the exterior door      Within the next 200   In accordance with
 operating procedures by       hours time-in-        the applicable kit
 incorporating the kit as      service (TIS) after   instructions as
 specified in the service      the effective date    specified in the
 bulletin.                     of this AD or         Accomplishment
                               within the next 12    Instructions
                               calendar months       section in Raytheon
                               after the effective   Mandatory Service
                               date of this AD,      Bulletin SB 52-
                               whichever occurs      3096, Rev. 1,
                               first.                Revised: June,
                                                     2002. Use Paragraph
                                                     (7) of the
                                                     Accomplishment
                                                     Instructions
                                                     section in Raytheon
                                                     Mandatory Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 52-
                                                     3096, Rev. 1,
                                                     Revised: June,
                                                     2002, to accomplish
                                                     this action on the
                                                     Model 2000
                                                     airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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,

[[Page 51794]]

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 Mr. Steven E. Potter, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 
Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: (316) 946-4124; 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 copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view 
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 August 2, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20135 Filed 8-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P