[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62415-62417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27669]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-225-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Beech 400A and 400T 
Series 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 Beech 400A 
and 400T series airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection to 
determine the part number of the A194 roll trim printed circuit board 
(PCB), and replacement of certain PCBs with improved parts. This action 
is necessary to prevent intermittent sticking of the relays on the PCB 
in either the open or closed position, which could result in an out-of-
trim condition that could require using considerable control wheel 
force to keep the wings level, and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 19, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-225-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. 2002-NM-225-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 or 2000 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: Philip Petty, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4139; 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,

[[Page 62416]]

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 Number 2002-NM-225-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. 2002-NM-225-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports indicating that the roll trim tab on 
certain Raytheon Model Beech 400A and 400T series airplanes operated to 
a fully deflected position while the other trim tab remained in 
neutral. This condition can be caused by premature failure of the 
relays used on the existing printed circuit board (PCB), which may 
stick intermittently in either the open or closed position. In most of 
the cases reported, the autopilot was engaged. In some instances, the 
flightcrew is alerted to this condition by the illumination of a 
yellow, boxed letter ``A'' annunciator on the primary flight display 
(PFD) and/or slow rotation of the control wheel away from the neutral 
position. The annunciator on the PFD indicates the spoiler servo torque 
load is high and may indicate an out-of-trim condition.
    Reports indicate that flightcrew action is to disengage the 
autopilot and attempt to manually retrim the fully deflected roll trim 
tab. The flightcrews have reported to the manufacturer that this method 
has proven to be ineffective in some cases due to no movement from the 
deflected trim tab or no movement from the opposite trim tab. Recently, 
one crew reported that both trim tabs became fully deflected in 
opposite directions when the flightcrew attempted to trim one of the 
tabs from the neutral position. The resultant condition required high 
spoiler surface deflection angles to compensate for the out-of-trim 
condition while at cruise.
    Intermittent sticking of the relays on the PCB in either the open 
or closed position could result in the roll trim tab operating to a 
fully deflected position while the other trim tab remained in neutral, 
which could result in an out-of-trim condition that could require using 
considerable control wheel force to keep the wings level, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 27-
3464, dated December 2001, which describes procedures for an inspection 
to determine the part number of the A194 roll trim PCB, and replacement 
of certain PCBs with improved parts that have demonstrated longer 
operational capability. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed AD

    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, except as discussed below.

Difference Between the Service Bulletin and This Proposed AD

    The service bulletin specifies that the appropriate part number for 
the replacement PCB is 128-364122-7; however, this AD allows 
installation of replacement PCBs having part number 128-364122-7 or 
higher (i.e., 128-364122-9, -11, etc.).

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 467 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 430 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $27,950, or $65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Docket 2002-NM-225-AD.

    Applicability: Model Beech 400A series airplanes having serial 
numbers RK-45, and RK-49 through RK-322 inclusive; and Model 400T 
series airplanes having serial numbers TT-1 through TT-180 
inclusive, and TX-1 through TX-12 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.

[[Page 62417]]

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent intermittent sticking of the relays on the roll trim 
printed circuit board (PCB) in either the open or closed position, 
which could result in an out-of-trim condition that could require 
using considerable control wheel force to keep the wings level, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Replacement, if Necessary

    (a) Within 200 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an inspection to 
determine the part number of the A194 roll trim PCB, in accordance 
with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 27-3464, dated December 2001.
    (1) If the A194 roll trim PCB has a part number of 128-364122-7 
or higher (i.e., 128-364122-9, -11, etc.): No further action is 
required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the A194 roll trim PCB does not have a part number of 
128-364122-7 or higher: Before further flight, replace the A194 roll 
trim PCB with a PCB having a part number of 128-364122-7 or higher, 
in accordance with the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an A194 roll trim PCB having part number 128-364122-
1 or 128-364122-5.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 29, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27669 Filed 11-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P