[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75223-75225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27195]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 241 / Thursday, December 16, 2004 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 75223]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA 2004-19119; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-26-AD; 
Amendment 39-13903; AD 2004-25-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company, Model 390, 
Premier 1 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Raytheon Aircraft Company, Model 390, Premier 1 airplanes. This AD 
requires you to inspect the routing and security of the left and right 
main landing gear (MLG) squat switch wire harness installations for 
damage, repair any damage or replace components, and reinstall the 
squat switch wire harness. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to 
the wire harnesses, which could result in loss of pressurization, loss 
of transponder responses to interrogations, and failure of other 
systems utilizing air/ground status signals. This failure could lead to 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 18, 2005.
    As of January 18, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 625-7043.To review this service information, go 
to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19119.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Petty, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-
119W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4139; facsimile: (316) 
946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? FAA received reports of damage to 
the left and/or right MLG wire harness assemblies on Raytheon Model 390 
airplanes. This resulted in various system failures/anomalies due to 
erroneous air/ground status signals. Improper installation of Kit 390-
8103-0001 may have resulted in the damage to the squat switch wire 
harness assemblies during normal extension and retraction operations. A 
damaged wire harness and/or squat switch installation may affect 
multiple systems on the airplane.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Damage to the 
wire harnesses could result in loss of pressurization, loss of 
transponder responses to interrogations, and failure of other systems 
utilizing air/ground status signals. This failure could lead to loss of 
control of the airplane.
    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 Aircraft Company, 
Model 390, Premier 1 airplanes. This proposal was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 
7, 2004 (69 FR 60104). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the 
routing and security of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) 
squat switch wire harness installations for damage, repair any damage 
or replace components, and reinstall the squat switch wire harness.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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 does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 98 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? Raytheon Aircraft Company will provide warranty 
credit as specified in the service information.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. We are

[[Page 75224]]

issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, 
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under 
that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of 
civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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 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 
``Docket No. FAA-2004-19119; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-26-AD'' in 
your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-25-15 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-13903; Docket No. 
FAA-2004-19119; Directorate Identifier 2004-E-26-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on January 18, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following airplane model and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category: Model 390 Premier I, 
Serials RB-1, RB-4 through RB-84, RB-87 through RB-90, RB-92 through 
RB-96, RB-99 through RB-101, and RB-103 through RB-106.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of reports of damage to the left and/
or right main landing gear (MLG) wire harness assemblies, which 
resulted in various system failures/anomalies due to erroneous air/
ground status signals. The actions specified in this AD are intended 
to prevent damage to the wire harnesses, which could result in loss 
of pressurization, loss of transponder responses to interrogations, 
and failure of other systems utilizing air/ground status signals. 
This failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For airplanes prior to    Inspect within 30     Follow Raytheon
 serial number RB-100 with     days after the        Aircraft Company
 Kit 390-8103-0001             effective date of     Service Bulletin SB
 installed, and for            this AD, January      32-3678, dated June
 airplanes with production     18, 2005. If damage   2004.
 installation of the plunger-  is found, replace
 style squat switch, serial    the switch bracket
 numbers RB-100, RB-101, and   prior to further
 RB-103 through RB-106,        flight after the
 perform the following         inspection.
 actions:
(i) Visually inspect the
 squat switch bracket for
 corrosion or cracking
 (damage).
(ii) If damage is found,
 replace the switch bracket
 with part number 390-810008-
 0003/-0004.
(2) All airplanes affected    Within 30 days after  Follow Raytheon
 by this AD perform the        the effective date    Aircraft Company
 following actions:            of this AD, January   Service Bulletin SB
(i) Inspect MLG wiring         18, 2005.             32-3678, dated June
 harness service loop for                            2004.
 excessive length in air
 mode (strut extended). The
 radius of the wire harness
 service loop should not
 exceed that of the brake
 hose service loop. The
 radius of the brake hose
 loop should not exceed the
 radius of the tire. If the
 length is excessive in air
 mode, correct in accordance
 with Raytheon Aircraft
 Company Service Bulletin SB
 32-3678, dated June 2004..
(ii) Remove and relocate tie
 straps and M85052/1-8
 mounting clamp..
(iii) Perform the landing
 gear operational test..
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 75225]]

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 Philip Petty, 
Aerospace Engineer, ACE-119W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4139; facsimile: (316) 946-4107.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 32-3678, dated June 2004. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of 
this service information, contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. 
Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 625-7043. To 
review copies of this service information, go to the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, 
go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19119.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 6, 2004.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27195 Filed 12-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P