[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 251 (Tuesday, December 31, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79891-79893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32890]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 251 / Tuesday, December 31, 2002 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 79891]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-26-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900D 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Model 1900D airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require you to accomplish a one-time inspection for 
missing rivets on certain areas of the airplane and, if necessary, 
install rivets. This proposed AD is the result of Raytheon identifying 
several instances of missing rivets on these airplanes. The actions 
specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect and correct an 
understrength condition in the fuselage, which could result in the 
failure of the fuselage. Such failure could lead to loss of control of 
the airplane in flight.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before March 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-26-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. 2002-CE-26-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, 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.
    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. 2002-CE-26-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA has received 
reports from Raytheon that during manufacturing rivets were not 
installed in the following locations:
    [sbull] Lower frame forward of the airstair door below the pilot's 
floor;
    [sbull] Forward of the upper forward corner of the airstair door;
    [sbull] The bulkhead forward of the cargo door below floor level; 
and
    [sbull] The lower fuselage panel aft of the wing.
    These rivets must be installed for the fuselage to carry the 
ultimate design load. Without the rivets, these areas are 
understrength.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The 
understrength condition in the fuselage could result in the failure of 
the fuselage. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the 
airplane in flight.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Raytheon 
has issued Service Bulletin No. SB 53-3046, Issued: February 2002.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:
    [sbull] Inspecting for missing rivets; and
    [sbull] Installing rivets.

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:
    [sbull] The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or 
could develop on other Raytheon Model 1900D airplanes of the same type 
design;
    [sbull] The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
    [sbull] 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 incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 370 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

[[Page 79892]]

    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 inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost per
             Labor cost                    Parts cost          airplane         Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 workhours x $60 per hour = $480..  No parts required....            $480  $480 x 370 = $177,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary rivet 
installation that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need such installation:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
               Labor cost                   Parts cost       airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 workhours x $60 per hour = $900......             $25            $925
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 1,200 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) or 1 year 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 usage of these airplanes varies widely 
because operators or lessors are cycling these airplanes between 
airplane storage and flight operations. However, 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 utilize 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, FAA has determined that the compliance time of 
the proposed AD should be specified in both hours TIS and calendar time 
in order to ensure 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.

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. 2002-CE-26-AD'

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model 1900D airplanes, that are certificated in any category, with 
the following serial numbers: UE-1 through UE-50, UE-52 through UE-
350, UE-352 through UE-358, UE-360, UE-361, UE-363 through UE-369, 
UE-371 through UE-379, UE-381, UE-382, UE-385, UE-386, and UE-394.
    (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 detect and correct an understrength 
condition in the fuselage, which could result in the failure of the 
fuselage. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane 
in flight.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect for missing rivets    Within the next     In accordance with
 in the following locations:       1,200 hours time-   the
                                   in-service (TIS)    Accomplishment
                                   or 1 year after     Instructions of
                                   the effective       Raytheon Aircraft
                                   date of this AD,    Mandatory Service
                                   whichever occurs    Bulletin No.: SB
                                   first.              53-3046, Issued:
                                                       February 2002.
(i) Lower frame forward of the
 airstair door below the pilot's
 floor;
(ii) Forward of the upper
 forward corner of the airstair
 door;
(iii) The bulkhead forward of
 the cargo door below floor
 level; and
(iv) The lower fuselage panel
 aft of the wing.

[[Page 79893]]

 
(2) Install rivets where rivets   Prior to further    In accordance with
 are found missing.                flight after the    the
                                   inspection          Accomplishment
                                   required in         Instructions of
                                   paragraph (d)(1)    Raytheon Aircraft
                                   of this AD.         Mandatory Service
                                                       Bulletin No.: SB
                                                       53-3046, Issued:
                                                       February 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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? Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, 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 December 23, 2002.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32890 Filed 12-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P