[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10149-10152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4595]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-32-AD; Amendment 39-13075; AD 2003-04-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900D 
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) Model 1900D 
airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the alternating current (AC) 
inverter and modify the AC inverter and inverter sync wire shield. This 
AD is the result of reports that electrical noise causes the inverter 
to shut down in flight with loss of AC-powered flight instruments. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical noise 
causing the inverter to shut down, which could result in failure of key 
aircraft electrical systems. Such failure could lead to loss of flight 
instruments during flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 21, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
21, 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-32-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: Todd Dixon, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; facsimile: (316) 946-
4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received nine reports 
of electrical noise causing the alternating current (AC) inverter to 
shutdown on certain airplanes. These airplanes are equipped with KGS 
Electronics AC Inverter part number (P/N) SPC-10(PW), Mod 2, serial 
numbers 306 to 803. The shutdown of the inverter resulted in the loss 
of the electronic flight information system (EFIS), Radio Magnetic 
Indicator (RMI), and related AC-powered systems. Some airplanes 
experienced the loss of engine torque indication.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Such failure of 
the inverter could lead to loss of flight instruments during a critical 
phase of flight.
    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 Model 1900D 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 25, 2002 (67 FR 65519). 
The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the alternating current 
(AC) inverter and modify the AC inverter and inverter sync wire shield.
    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.

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.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 232 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 
AC inverter inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total cost per
             Labor cost                     Parts cost            airplane       Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 = $120 for each     No cost for parts.....            $240   232 x $240 = $55,680
 inverter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Labor cost                       Parts cost                Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 = $120 for each inverter                $310   $550 for each airplane.
 ($240 per aircraft).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary AC 
inverter sync wire shield modification that would be required based on 
the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number 
of airplanes that may need such modification:

[[Page 10150]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 workhours x $60 = $480..............           $6.00             $486
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This AD

    What would be the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time 
of this AD is within 6 months after the effective date of the AD.
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? Failure of the aircraft AC inverters is 
only unsafe during airplane operation. However, this unsafe condition 
is not a result of the number of times the airplane is operated. The 
chance of this situation occurring is the same for an airplane with 50 
hours time-in-service (TIS) as it is for an airplane with 1,000 hours 
TIS.
    For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on 
calendar time will be utilized in this AD in order to assure that the 
unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes in a reasonable time 
period.

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:

2003-04-26 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-13075; Docket No. 
2002-CE-32-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:
    (1) Group 1 Airplanes: Model 1900D, serial numbers UE-1 through 
UE-265.
    (2) Group 2 Airplanes: Model 1900D, serial numbers UE-266 
through UE-388.
    (3) Group 3 Airplanes: Model 1900D, serial numbers UE-389 
through UE-410.
    (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 prevent electrical noise causing the 
alternating current (AC) inverter to shut down, which could result 
in failure of key aircraft electrical systems. Such failure could 
lead to loss of flight instruments during a critical phase of 
flight.

    Note 1: Refer to paragraph (a) to determine if your airplane is 
assigned to Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3. If your airplane is 
assigned to Group 1, Group 2, or Group 3, you only have to 
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (d), (e), or (f), 
respectively.

    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem if I 
have a Group 1 airplane? To address this problem, you must 
accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the AC inverter   Within 6 months       In accordance with
 to determine if the KGS       after April 21,       the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 Electronics AC Inverter       2003 (the effective   INSTRUCTIONS
 part number (P/N) SPC-        date of this AD).     section of Raytheon
 10(PW), with a serial                               Aircraft Service
 number in the range of 306                          Bulletin SB 24-
 through 803, is installed                           3215, Rev. 1, June
 and is identified as Mod                            2001.
 2DD.
(i) This may be accomplished
 by checking the logbook and
 positively showing that a
 Mod 2DD inverter is
 installed. A person holding
 a pilot's certificate may
 accomplish this check..
(ii) If, by checking the
 airplane logbook or by
 visual inspection, it can
 be positively shown that a
 Mod 2DD inverter is
 installed, then the
 requirements of paragraph
 (d)(2) of this AD do not
 apply. You must make an
 entry into the aircraft
 records that shows
 compliance with this
 portion of the AD, in
 accordance with section
 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14
 CFR 43.9)..
-----------------------------
(2) If during the inspection  Before further        In accordance with
 required in paragraph         flight after the      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 (d)(1), it is found that      paragraph (d)(1)      INSTRUCTIONS
 the Mod 2DD inverter is not   inspection of this    section of Raytheon
 installed, accomplish the     AD.                   Aircraft Service
 AC inverter modification.                           Bulletin SB 24-
                                                     3215, Rev. 1, June
                                                     2001, and the Model
                                                     1900D Airliner
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
-----------------------------

[[Page 10151]]

 
(3) Inspect the AC inverter   Within 6 months       In accordance with
 to determine if STC SA00245WI-D is installed.   2003 (the effective   INSTRUCTIONS
(i) This may be accomplished   date of this AD).     section of Raytheon
 by checking the logbook and                         Aircraft Service
 positively showing that STC                         Bulletin SB 24-
 SA00245WI-D has                            3215, Rev. 1, June
 never been installed. A                             2001.
 person holding a pilot's
 certificate may accomplish
 this check..
(ii) If, by checking the
 logbook or visual
 inspection, it can be
 positively shown that STC
 SA00245WI-D has
 never been installed, then
 the requirements of
 paragraph (d)(4) of this AD
 do not apply. You must make
 an entry into the aircraft
 records that shows
 compliance with this
 portion of the AD, in
 accordance with section
 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14
 CFR 43.9)..
-----------------------------
(4) If during the inspection  Before further        In accordance with
 required in paragraph         flight after the      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 (d)(3), STC SA00245WI-D is found        inspection of this    section of Raytheon
 installed, accomplish the     AD.                   Aircraft Service
 AC inverter sync wire                               Bulletin SB 24-
 shield modification.                                3215, Rev. 1, June
                                                     2001, and the Model
                                                     1900D Airliner
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
-----------------------------
(5) Do not install, on any    As of April 21, 2003  Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, any KGS    (the effective date
 Electronics AC inverter       of this AD).
 with a S/N between 306
 through 803 not identified
 as Mod 2DD.
-----------------------------
(6) Do not install STC        As of April 21, 2003  In accordance with
 SA00245WI-D on any   (the effective date   the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 airplane unless the AC        of this AD).          INSTRUCTIONS
 inverter modification                               section of Raytheon
 required in paragraph                               Aircraft Service
 (d)(4) of this AD is                                Bulletin SB 24-
 accomplished.                                       3215, Rev. 1, June
                                                     2001, and the Model
                                                     1900D Airliner
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem if I 
have a Group 2 airplane? To address this problem, you must 
accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the AC inverter   Within 6 months       In accordance with
 to determine if the KGS       after April 21,       the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 Electronics AC Inverter       2003 (the effective   INSTRUCTIONS
 part number (P/N) SPC-        date of this AD).     section of Raytheon
 10(PW), with a serial                               Aircraft Service
 number in the range of 306                          Bulletin SB 24-
 through 803, is installed                           3215, Rev. 1, June
 and is identified as Mod                            2001.
 2DD.
(i) This may be accomplished
 by checking the logbook and
 positively showing that a
 Mod 2DD inverter is
 installed. A person holding
 a pilot's certificate may
 accomplish this check..
(ii) If, by checking the
 airplane logbook or visual
 inspection, it can be
 positively shown that a Mod
 2DD inverter is installed,
 then the requirements of
 paragraph (e)(2) of this AD
 do not apply. You must make
 an entry into the aircraft
 records that shows
 compliance with this
 portion of the AD, in
 accordance with section
 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14
 CFR 43.9)..
-----------------------------
(2) If during the inspection  Before further        In accordance with
 required in paragraph         flight after the      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 (e)(1), a Mod 2DD inverter    paragraph (e)(1)      INSTRUCTIONS
 is not installed,             inspection of this    section of Raytheon
 accomplish the AC inverter    AD.                   Aircraft Service
 modification.                                       Bulletin SB 24-
                                                     3215, Rev. 1, June
                                                     2001, and the Model
                                                     1900D Airliner
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
-----------------------------
(3) Accomplish the AC         Within 6 months       In accordance with
 inverter sync wire shield     after April 21,       the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 modification.                 2003 (the effective   INSTRUCTIONS
                               date of this AD).     section of Raytheon
                                                     Aircraft Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 24-
                                                     3215, Rev. 1, June
                                                     2001, and the Model
                                                     1900D Airliner
                                                     Maintenance Manual.

[[Page 10152]]

 
                             -----------------------
(4) Do not install, on any    As of April 21, 2003  Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, any KGS    (the effective date
 Electronics AC inverter       of this AD).
 with a S/N between 306
 through 803 not identified
 as Mod 2DD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem if I 
have a Group 3 airplane? To address this problem, you must 
accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the AC inverter   Within 6 months       In accordance with
 to determine if the KGS       after April 21,       the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 Electronics AC Inverter       2003 (the effective   INSTRUCTIONS
 part number (P/N) SPC-        date of this AD).     section of Raytheon
 10(PW), with a serial                               Aircraft Service
 number in the range of 306                          Bulletin SB 24-
 through 803, is installed                           3215, Rev. 1, June
 and is identified as Mod                            2001.
 2DD.
(i) This may be accomplished
 by checking the logbook and
 positively showing that a
 Mod 2DD inverter is
 installed. A person holding
 a pilot's certificate may
 accomplish this check..
(ii) If, by checking the
 airplane logbook or visual
 inspection, it can be
 positively shown that the
 Mod 2DD inverter is
 installed, then the
 requirements of paragraph
 (f)(2) of this AD do not
 apply. You must make an
 entry into the aircraft
 records that shows
 compliance with this
 portion of the AD, in
 accordance with section
 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14
 CFR 43.9)..
-----------------------------
(2) If during the inspection  Before further        In accordance with
 required in paragraph         flight after the      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 (f)(1), it is found that      paragraph (f)(1)      INSTRUCTIONS
 the Mod 2DD inverter is not   inspection of this    section of Raytheon
 installed, accomplish the     AD.                   Aircraft Service
 AC inverter modification.                           Bulletin SB 24-
                                                     3215, Rev. 1, June
                                                     2001, and the Model
                                                     1900D Airliner
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
-----------------------------
(3) Do not install, on any    As of April 21, 2003  Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, any KGS    the effective date
 Electronics AC inverter       of this AD).
 with serial number in the
 range of 306 through 803
 not identified as Mod 2DD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: An owner/operator of an airplane assigned to a Group may 
disregard the above Group paragraphs that do not apply to his/her 
airplane.

    (g) 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 3: 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 (g) 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.

    (h) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Todd Dixon, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
    (i) 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.
    (j) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 24-3215, Rev. 1, June 
2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, 
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.
    (k) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on April 21, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 21, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4595 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P