[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 26, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29910-29912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11877]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-CE-11-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model B100 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model B100 airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require you to drill holes in the hot lip tube 
``B'' nuts; tighten the ``B'' nuts to specified torque ranges; and 
secure the ``B'' nuts with safety wire. This proposed AD is the result 
of reports of loose ``B'' nuts on the engine inlet that may loosen and 
permit a leak in the engine inlet anti-ice system. We are issuing this 
proposed AD to detect and correct loose ``B'' nuts on the engine inlet, 
which could result in failure of the engine inlet anti-ice system and 
consequent ice buildup. This failure and ice buildup could lead to an 
engine's ingestion of ice with loss of engine power or loss of engine.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 26, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:

     By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-CE-11-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
     By fax: (816) 329-3771.
     By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2004-CE-11-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.

    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085;

[[Page 29911]]

telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-CE-11-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Pretz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4153; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD 
Docket No. 2004-CE-11-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you 
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We 
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA has received six 
reports of loose ``B'' nuts on the Raytheon Model B100 engine inlet 
anti-ice system found during routine maintenance. These loose ``B'' 
nuts may permit a leak in the engine inlet anti-ice system that would 
result in failure of the system with consequent ice buildup on the 
engine inlet.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Failure of the 
engine inlet anti-ice system and consequent ice buildup could lead to 
an engine's ingestion of ice with loss of engine power or loss of 
engine.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Raytheon 
has issued Service Bulletin No. SB 30-3143, dated September 2001.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Drilling a 0.035-inch hole in each of the hot lip tube ``B'' nuts 
(part numbers (P/N) AN818-6D and AN818-8D);
--tightening P/N AN818-6D ``B'' nuts to a torque range of 75 to 125 
inch-pounds and P/N AN818-8D ``B'' nuts to a torque range of 150 to 250 
inch-pounds; and
--securing the ``B'' nuts (P/N AN818-6D and P/N AN818-8D) with safety 
wire.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information 
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing 
AD action.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation 
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 96 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish this proposed inspection and modification:

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                                                                                                     Total cost
                   Labor cost                                 Parts cost               Total cost      on U.S.
                                                                                      per airplane   operations
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4 workhours x $65 per hour = $260...............  Not applicable....................         $260       $24,960
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Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    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. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2004-CE-11-AD'' in your request.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):


[[Page 29912]]


Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. 2004-CE-11-AD

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by July 26, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Models B100, serial numbers BE-1 through BE-
136, that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of reports of loose ``B'' nuts on the 
engine inlet that may loosen and permit a leak in the engine inlet 
anti-ice system. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
detect and correct loose ``B'' nuts on the engine inlet, which could 
result in failure of the engine inlet anti-ice system and consequent 
ice buildup. This failure and ice buildup could lead to an engine's 
ingestion of ice with loss of engine power or loss of engine.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Drill a 0.035-inch hole in    Within the next     Follow Raytheon
 each of the hot lip tube ``B''    150 hours time-in-  Aircraft
 nuts (part number (P/N) AN818-    service (TIS) or    Mandatory Service
 6D and AN818-8D).                 6 calendar months   Bulletin No. SB
                                   after the           30-3143, dated
                                   effective date of   September 2001.
                                   this AD,            The applicable
                                   whichever occurs    airplane
                                   first.              maintenance
                                                       manual also
                                                       addresses this
                                                       issue.
(2) Tighten the hot lip tube      Before further      Follow Raytheon
 ``B'' nuts to a specified         flight after the    Aircraft
 torque range:.                    actions required    Mandatory Service
(i) Tighten hot lip tube ``B''     by paragraph        Bulletin No. SB
 nuts P/N AN818-6D to a torque     (e)(1) of this AD.  30-3143, dated
 range of 75 to 125 inch-pounds.                       September 2001.
                                                       The applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual also
                                                       addresses this
                                                       issue.
(ii) Tighten hot lip tube ``B''
 nuts P/N AN818-8D to a torque
 range of 150 to 250 inch-pounds.
(3) Secure the hot lip tube       Before further      Follow Raytheon
 ``B'' nuts (P/N AN818-6D and      flight after the    Aircraft
 AN818-8D) with safety wire.       actions required    Mandatory Service
                                   by paragraph        Bulletin No. SB
                                   (e)(2) of this AD.  30-3143, dated
                                                       September 2001.
                                                       The applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual also
                                                       addresses this
                                                       issue.
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May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Jeff Pretz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4153; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (g) 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 May 20, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11877 Filed 5-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P