[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 997-999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-148]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 5 / Wednesday, January 8, 2003 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 997]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-07-AD; Amendment 39-13012; AD 2003-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Models 
36, A36, A36TC, B36TC, 58, and 58A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-
26-16, which applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 
Beech Models A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes. AD 2000-26-16 requires you 
to inspect for missing rivets on the right hand side of the fuselage 
and, if necessary, install rivets. AD 2000-26-16 resulted from Raytheon 
identifying several instances of missing rivets on these airplanes. AD 
2000-26-16 incorporated an incorrect listing of serial numbers for the 
affected model airplanes and omitted certain airplane models from the 
applicability section of AD 2000-26-16. This AD retains the actions 
required in AD 2000-26-16 and corrects the applicability section. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct 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 27, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
53-3341, Rev. 1, Revised May, 2000, as of February 16, 2001 (66 FR 
1253, January 8, 2001).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 53-3341, Rev. 2, 
Revised October, 2002, as of February 27, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information 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 this 
information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2002-CE-07-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, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    Raytheon production and inspection personnel identified several 
instances of missing rivets on Models A36, B36TC, and 58 airplanes. The 
missing rivets are the result of a quality control problem. This 
condition caused us to issue AD 2000-26-16, Amendment 39-12066 (66 FR 
1253, January 8, 2001). AD 2000-26-16 requires you to inspect for 
missing rivets on the right hand fuselage and if necessary, install 
rivets.

What Has Happened Since AD 2000-26-16 To Initiate This Action?

    Raytheon notified FAA that the airplane models and serial numbers 
listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 53-3341, Rev. 1, 
Revised: May, 2000, and the applicability section of AD 2000-26-16 are 
incorrect. The serial number designations did not correctly refer to 
the applicable airplane models. We are adding Beech Models 36, A36TC, 
and 58A airplanes to the applicability section of this AD to correct 
this in this document.

What Is the Potential Impact If FAA Took No Action?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in the airplane 
being unable to carry the ultimate load which could cause 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 36, A36, A36TC, B36TC, 58, and 58A 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 14, 2002 (67 FR 52894). 
The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2000-26-16, Amendment 39-12066, with 
a new AD that would retain the actions required in AD 2000-26-16 and 
add certain airplane models to the applicability section of this AD.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.
    The manufacturer has issued Revision 2 to Raytheon Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 53-3341. This service information contains a 
corrected list of affected airplane models and serial numbers. We will 
incorporate this service bulletin into the procedures section of this 
AD.

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 have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

[[Page 998]]

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 3,632 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost             airplane          Total cost  on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60..  No parts required     $60 per airplane....  $60 x 3632 = $217,920
                                    for the inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

What Is the Difference Between the Cost Impact of This AD and the Cost 
Impact of AD 2000-26-16?

    The only difference between this AD and AD 2000-26-16 is the 
correction to the applicability. No additional actions are being added. 
The FAA has determined that this AD action does not increase the cost 
impact over that already required by AD 2000-26-16.

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:

2003-01-01 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-13012; Docket No. 
2002-CE-07-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) Group 1:
    A36..............................  E-185 through E-3231 and E-3233.
    B36TC............................  EA-242 and EA-273 through EA-635.
    58...............................  TH-1 through TH-1811 and TH-1813 through TH-1897.
(2) Group 2:
    36...............................  E-1 through E-184.
    A36TC............................  EA-1 through EA-241 and EA-243 through EA-272.
    58A..............................  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 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 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 accomplish the following:

[[Page 999]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For Group 1 airplanes:    Within the next 100   In accordance with
 inspect for up to 9 missing   hours time-in-        the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 rivets between fuselage       service (TIS) after   INSTRUCTIONS
 station (F.S.) 83.00 and      February 16, 2001     section of Raytheon
 F.S. 91.00 at water line      (the effective date   Mandatory Service
 (W.L.) 90.3.                  of AD 2000-26-16),    Bulletin SB 53-
                               unless already        3341, Rev. 1,
                               accomplished.         Revised: May 2000;
                                                     or Raytheon
                                                     Mandatory Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 53-
                                                     3341, Rev. 2,
                                                     Revised: October,
                                                     2002; and the
                                                     Bonanza Series
                                                     Maintenance Manual
                                                     or Baron Model 58
                                                     Series Maintenance
                                                     Manual.
(2) For Group 2 airplanes:    Within the next 100   In accordance with
 inspect for up to 9 missing   hours time-in-        the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 rivets between fuselage       service after         INSTRUCTIONS
 station (F.S.) 83.00 and      February 27, 2003     section of Raytheon
 F.S. 91.00 at water line      (the effective date   Mandatory Service
 (W.L.) 90.3.                  of this AD), unless   Bulletin SB 53-
                               already               3341, Rev. 1,
                               accomplished.         Revised: May 2000;
                                                     or Raytheon
                                                     Mandatory Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 53-
                                                     3341, Rev. 2,
                                                     Revised: October,
                                                     2002; and the
                                                     Bonanza Series
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
(3) For all affected          Before further        In accordance with
 airplanes: if you find        flight after the      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 rivets are missing, install   inspection, unless    INSTRUCTIONS
 these rivets.                 already               section of Raytheon
                               accomplished.         Mandatory Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 53-
                                                     3341, Rev. 1,
                                                     Revised: May 2000;
                                                     or Raytheon
                                                     Mandatory Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 53-
                                                     3341, Rev. 2,
                                                     Revised: October,
                                                     2002; and the
                                                     Bonanza Series
                                                     Maintenance Manual
                                                     or Baron Model 58
                                                     Series Maintenance
                                                     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) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust 
the compliance time if:
    (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (ii) 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 2000-26-16, which is superseded by this AD, are approved as 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

    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, 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?
    (1) Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with 
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 53-3341, Rev. 1, Revised: May 
2000, or Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 53-3341, Rev. 2, 
Revised: October, 2002.
    (i) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
53-3341, Rev. 2, Revised: October, 2002, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51.
    (ii) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved 
the incorporation by reference of Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 53-3341, Rev. 1, Revised May, 2000, as of February 16, 
2001 (66 FR 1253, January 8, 2001).
    (2) You may get copies from Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 
85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 
676-3140. You may view 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) Does this AD action affect any existing AD actions? This 
amendment supersedes AD 2000-26-16, Amendment 39-12066.
    (j) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on February 27, 2003.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 30, 2002.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-148 Filed 1-7-03; 8:45 am]
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