[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60191-60193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24308]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-315-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon Model Hawker 
800XP airplanes. This proposal would require installing jumper wires on 
the computer control switches to power the digital electronic engine 
control when overspeed protection is selected, and tying and stowing 
the jumper wires on the switches. The actions specified by the proposed 
AD are intended to prevent loss of the overspeed protection function 
without the flightcrew's awareness, due to missing jumper wires, which 
could result in engine overspeed and possible uncommanded engine 
shutdown. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

[[Page 60192]]

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-315-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-315-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Department 62, P.O. Box 85, 
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Pretz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4153; fax (316) 
946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket 2001-NM-315-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2001-NM-315-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA received a report that the jumper wires, which provide 
power from the computer control switches to the digital electronic 
engine control (DEEC), were missing on a Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP 
airplane. Power to the DEEC is necessary so when the flightcrew places 
the computer control switches in the overspeed protection position, the 
overspeed protection mode will be activated. Investigation by the 
manufacturer revealed that the jumper wires were omitted from the 
production drawing. Such conditions, if not corrected, could result in 
loss of the overspeed protection function without the flightcrew's 
awareness. This situation could result in engine overspeed, and 
possible uncommanded engine shutdown.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 76-
3480, dated August 2001, which describes procedures for installing 
jumper wires on the computer control switches to power the digital 
electronic engine control (DEEC) when overspeed protection is selected, 
and tying and stowing the jumper wires on the switches. Accomplishment 
of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 250 Model 800XP airplanes of the affected 
design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 193 airplanes of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. It would take 
approximately 5 work hours per airplane for airplanes with two oxygen 
bottles, and 6 work hours per airplane for airplanes with three oxygen 
bottles, to accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts would be nominal. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $300 per airplane (for airplanes with two 
oxygen bottles) or $360 per airplane (for airplanes with three oxygen 
bottles).
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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

[[Page 60193]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the 
draft regulatory 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, 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Ratheon Aircraft Company: Docket 2001-NM-315-AD.

    Applicability: Model Hawker 800XP airplanes, as listed in 
Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 76-3480, dated August 2001; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, 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 (b) 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 the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of the overspeed protection function without the 
flightcrew's awareness, due to missing jumper wires, which could 
result in engine overspeed and possible uncommanded engine shutdown, 
accomplish the following:

Jumper Wire Installation

    (a) Within 3 months or 300 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the actions specified in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD per Raytheon 
Service Bulletin SB 76-3480, dated August 2001.
    (1) Install a four-inch jumper wire between terminals 1 and 3 on 
the computer control switch ``NF.''
    (2) Install a six-inch jumper wire between terminals 1 and 3 on 
the computer control switch ``NG.''
    (3) Tie and stow the jumper wires on the computer control 
switches ``NF'' and ``NG'' using tie-wrap.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 16, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24308 Filed 9-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P