[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 73 (Monday, April 18, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20080-20082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7673]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20969; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-017-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model DH.125, HS.125, and 
BH.125 Series Airplanes; Model BAe.125 Series 800A (C-29A and U-125), 
800B, 1000A, and 1000B Airplanes; and Model Hawker 800 (including 
variant U-125A), and 1000 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon airplanes identified 
above. The existing AD currently requires a visual inspection to 
determine whether adequate clearance exists between the fan venturi 
motor casing and the adjacent equipment, and adjustments, if necessary; 
and a visual inspection to detect signs of overheating, degradation of 
insulating materials, and ingestion of debris into the motor, and 
replacement of discrepant parts with serviceable parts. This proposed 
AD would instead require that operators replace the fan venturi with a 
new or modified part. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that the 
fan venturi overheated and produced smoke while the airplane was on the 
ground. We are proposing this AD to prevent heat and fire damage to 
equipment adjacent to the fan venturi, which could result in smoke in 
the cabin and/or burning equipment.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 2, 2005.

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

[[Page 20081]]

     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service 
information identified in this proposed AD, contact Raytheon Aircraft 
Company, Department 62, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-20969; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2005-NM-017-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Petty, Aerospace Engineer, 
Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4139; fax (316) 
946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20969; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-017-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    On May 18, 1994, we issued AD 94-11-03, amendment 39-8919 (59 FR 
27231, May 26, 1994), for certain Raytheon Corporate Jets Model DH/BH/
HS BAe 125 and Hawker 800 and 1000 series airplanes. That AD requires a 
visual inspection to determine whether adequate clearance exists 
between the fan venturi motor casing and the adjacent equipment, and 
adjustments, if necessary; and a visual inspection to detect signs of 
overheating, degradation of insulating materials, and ingestion of 
debris into the motor, and replacement of discrepant parts with 
serviceable parts. That AD was prompted by reports of smoke emanating 
from the lavatory due to overheating of the fan venturi motor. We 
issued that AD to prevent smoke or fire in the cabin while the airplane 
is in flight.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 94-11-03, there have been three additional 
reports indicating that the fan venturi overheated and produced smoke 
while the airplane was on the ground. The manufacturer investigated the 
incidents and found that contamination and corrosion in the fan venturi 
bearings can jam the rotating assembly and cause the motor to burn out. 
The airplanes on which the incidents occurred had been inspected and/or 
repaired in accordance with AD 94-11-03. These further incidents 
indicate that the actions in AD 94-11-03 may not be adequate.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 21-3669, dated 
December 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for two 
options for corrective action:
    Option 1: Replacing the fan venturi with a new fan venturi; or
    Option 2: Modifying the fan venturi.
    The new or modified fan venturi has a larger bearing area with more 
lubricant to dissipate heat, higher temperature range lubricant, 
tighter tolerance bearing parts, and thermal protection. Accomplishing 
the actions specified in the service information is intended to 
adequately address the unsafe condition.
    The Raytheon Service Bulletin refers to Honeywell Service Bulletin 
132322-21-4041, Revision 2, dated August 20, 2004, as an additional 
source of service information for modifying the fan venturi motor 
assembly. The Honeywell service bulletin is attached to the Raytheon 
service bulletin.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be 
registered in the U.S. at some time in the future. We are proposing to 
supersede AD 94-11-03. This proposed AD would not retain the 
requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service bulletins described 
previously.

Explanation of Change to Model Designation

    We have revised the effectivity of the proposed AD to identify 
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate 
data sheet for the affected models.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 500 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. 
This proposed AD would affect about 350 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this proposed AD.

[[Page 20082]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                   Average labor                   Cost per hour
                   Action hour                      Work hours       rate per          Parts         airplane
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Option 1: Replacement...........................               4             $65         $12,487         $12,747
Option 2: Modification..........................               8              65           2,269           2,789
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 FAA 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 removing amendment 39-8919 (59 FR 
27231, May 26, 1994) and adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2005-20969; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NM-017-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by June 2, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 94-11-03, amendment 39-8919 (59 FR 27231, 
May 26, 1994).

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Raytheon Model DH.125, HS.125, and BH.125 
series airplanes; Model BAe.125 Series 800A (C-29A and U-125), 800B, 
1000A, and 1000B airplanes; and Model Hawker 800 (including variant U-
125A), and 1000 airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified 
in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 21-3669, dated December, 2004.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports indicating that the fan venturi 
overheated and produced smoke while the airplane was on the ground. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent heat and fire damage to equipment 
adjacent to the fan venturi, which could result in smoke in the cabin 
and/or burning equipment.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

Modification or Replacement

    (f) Within 1,200 flight hours or 24 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the action in either paragraph 
(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 21-3669, dated December, 
2004.
    (1) Modify the existing fan venturi part number (P/N) 132322-2-1 by 
installing an improved motor, P/N 207640-34.
    (2) Replace the existing fan venturi P/N 132322-2-1 with a new fan 
venturi P/N 132322-3-1.

    Note 1: Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 21-3669 refers to Honeywell 
Service Bulletin 132322-21-4041, Revision 2, dated August 20, 2004, 
as an additional source of service information for doing the 
modification. The Honeywell service bulletin is attached to the 
Raytheon service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
fan venturi, P/N 132322-2-1, on any airplane unless the fan venturi has 
been modified in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of this AD; or unless 
the fan venturi has a new P/N in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of 
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 12, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7673 Filed 4-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P