[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34804-34806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5429]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23334; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-53-AD; 
Amendment 39-14651; AD 2006-12-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; General Machine--Diecron, Inc. Actuator 
Nut Assembly for the Right Main Landing Gear Installed on Certain 
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General 
Machine--Diecron, Inc. (GMD) actuator nut assembly, part number (P/N) 
GMD115-810029-17 and P/N GMD115-810029-23, that are installed on 
certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) (formerly Beech) airplanes 
that are not equipped with a hydraulic main landing gear (MLG) or 
modified to a hydraulic MLG. This AD requires you to determine by 
maintenance records check and/or inspection whether any actuator nut 
assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 or P/N GMD115-810029-23, is installed on 
the right main MLG actuator, and, if installed, requires you to replace 
it with a new actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-23B or FAA-
approved equivalent P/N. This AD results from several reports of 
failures of the actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 and P/N 
GMD115-810029-23. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
actuator nut assembly for the right MLG actuator, which could result in 
failure of the MLG. This failure could prevent the extension or 
retraction of the MLG.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 28, 2006.
    As of July 28, 2006, 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 General Machine--Diecron, Inc., 3131 U.S. Highway 41, Griffin, 
Georgia 30224, telephone: (770) 228-6200; facsimile: (770) 228-6299.
    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-2005-23334; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-53-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Buckley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30337-2748, telephone: (770) 703-6086; facsimile: 
(770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On January 30, 2006, 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 the GMD actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 or 
P/N GMD115-810029-23, that is installed on certain airplanes. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on February 3, 2006 (71 FR 5796). The NPRM proposed 
to require you to determine by maintenance records check and/or 
inspection whether any actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 or 
P/N GMD115-810029-23, is installed on the right MLG actuator, and, if 
installed, would require you to replace it with a new actuator nut 
assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-23B or FAA-approved equivalent P/N.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and FAA's response to each comment:

Comment Issue No. 1: Include the Raytheon (Military) Models A200 (C-
12A) and A200 (C-12C) Airplanes in the List of ``Airplanes Affected''

    One commenter writes that the applicability of the proposed AD 
needs to be expanded. The commenter explains that the Raytheon military 
Models A200 (C-12A) and A200 (C-12C) airplanes with standard landing 
gear have the same actuator assemblies as the airplanes listed in the 
NPRM, and could have the affected P/N nut installed.
    We disagree with the commenter that the applicability of the 
proposed AD needs to be expanded. Although a limited number of the 
affected actuator assemblies were installed on Models A200 (C-12A) and 
A200 (C-12C) airplanes, the military operates these airplanes and 
removed the affected parts from service before the issuance of the 
NPRM. Paragraph (e)(4) of this AD prohibits the subject actuator nut 
assembly from being installed on these airplanes in the future. The AD 
specifies that it applies to the subject actuator nut assembly 
``installed on, but not limited to'' specific models listed.
    We are not changing the final rule AD based on this comment.

Comment Issue No. 2: Clarify Applicability of AD by Identifying 
Raytheon as the Manufacturer of the Affected Airplane Models

    Two commenters recommend that it should be stated at the beginning 
of the document that these defective parts are installed on Raytheon 
airplanes. The commenter explains that stating this early in the AD 
action would be better form and result in a more easily comprehended 
document.
    The FAA agrees with the commenters. We will change the final rule 
to clearly identify that the affected actuator

[[Page 34805]]

assemblies are installed on certain Raytheon airplane models.

Conclusion

    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,629 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the maintenance records check 
and/or inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Total cost per
          Labor cost               Parts cost         airplane              Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 = $80.......  Not Applicable..             $80   1,629 x $80 = $130,320.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements of 
the actuator nut assembly that would be required based on the results 
of this inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $80 = $320.............          $1,700           $2,020
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    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 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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-2005-23334; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-53-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:

2006-12-25 General Machine--Diecron, Inc.: Amendment 39-14651; 
Docket No. FAA-2005-23334; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-53-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on July 28, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects any actuator nut assembly, part number (P/N) 
GMD115-810029-17 or P/N GMD115-810029-23, for the right main landing 
gear (MLG) actuator installed on, but not limited to, the following 
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) (formerly Beech) airplanes that 
are certificated in any category and not equipped with a hydraulic 
MLG or modified to a hydraulic MLG.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) F90......................  LA-2 through LA-225 (except aircraft that
                                incorporate Beech Kit No. 90-8011).
(2) 99, 99A, A99, and B99....  U-1 through U-49 and U51 through U164
                                (except aircraft that incorporate Beech
                                Kit No. 99-8010-1 or factory installed
                                hydraulic landing gear).
(3) 100 and A100.............  B-1 through B-94, B-100 through B-204,
                                and B-206 through B-247.
(4) B100.....................  BE-1 through BE-137.

[[Page 34806]]

 
(5) 200......................  BB-2, BB-6 through BB-733, BB-735 through
                                BB-792, BB-794 through BB-828, BB-830
                                through BB-853, BB-872, BB-873, BB-892,
                                BB-893, and BB-912 (except aircraft that
                                incorporate Beech Kit No. 101-8018).
(6) B200.....................  BB-734, BB-793, BB-829, BB-854 through BB-
                                870, BB-874 through BB-891, BB-894, BB-
                                896 through BB-911, BB-913 through BB-
                                1157, BB-1159 through BB-1166, and BB-
                                1168 through BB-1192 (except aircraft
                                that incorporate Beech Kit No. 101-
                                8018).
(7) 200T and B200T...........  BT-1 through BT-30 (except aircraft that
                                incorporate Beech Kit No. 101-8018).
(8) 200C and B200C...........  BL-1 through BL-72 (except aircraft that
                                incorporate Beech Kit No. 101-8018).
(9) 200CT and B200CT.........  BN-1 through BN-4 (except aircraft that
                                incorporate Beech Kit No. 101-8018).
(10) A200CT (FWC-12D)........  FG-1 and FG-2 (except aircraft that
                                incorporate Beech Kit No. 101-8018).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from several reports of failures of the 
actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 and P/N GMD115-810029-
23, on the right MLG actuator. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the actuator nut assembly for the 
right MLG actuator, which could result in failure of the MLG. This 
failure could prevent the extension or retraction of the MLG.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Maintenance Records Check:    Within the next 50  No special
(i) Check the maintenance          hours time-in-      procedures
 records to determine whether      service (TIS) or    necessary to
 the following replacements have   30 calendar days    check the
 been made:                        after July 28,      maintenance
(A) Actuator nut assembly, P/N     2006 (the           records.
 GMD115-810029-17, for the right   effective date of
 MLG actuator; or                  this AD),
(B) Actuator nut assembly, P/N     whichever occurs
 GMD115-810029-23, for the right   first, unless
 MLG actuator.                     already done.
(ii) The owner/operator holding
 at least a private pilot
 certificate as authorized by
 section 43.7 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
 43.7) may make this check. 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 you find as a result of    Within the next 50  Follow General
 the check required by paragraph   hours TIS or 30     Machine Diecron,
 (e)(1) of this AD that there is   calendar days       Inc. Service
 no record of the specified        after July 28,      Bulletin GM-D 32-
 assembly replacement, inspect     2006 (the           30-01/102505,
 the airplane for installation     effective date of   dated November
 of the following:                 this AD),           21, 2005.
(i) Actuator nut assembly, P/N     whichever occurs
 GMD115-810029-17, for the right   first, unless
 MLG actuator; or                  already done.
(ii) Actuator nut assembly, P/N
 GMD115-810029-23, for the right
 MLG actuator.
(iii) You may choose to do the
 inspection without doing the
 maintenance records check.
(3) If during the check required  Before further      Follow General
 by paragraph (e)(1) or the        flight after the    Machine Diecron,
 inspection required by            check required by   Inc. Service
 paragraph (e)(2) of this AD,      paragraph (e)(1)    Bulletin GM-D 32-
 you find either actuator nut      or the inspection   30-01/102505,
 assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17    required by         dated November
 or P/N GMD115-810029-23, for      paragraph (e)(2)    21, 2005.
 the right MLG actuator, replace   of this AD.
 the specific assembly, with a
 new actuator nut assembly, P/N
 GMD115-810029-23B or FAA-
 approved equivalent P/N.
(4) Do not install any actuator   As of July 28,      Not Applicable.
 nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-  2006 (the
 17 or P/N GMD115-810029-23, for   effective date of
 the right MLG actuator.           this AD).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Don Buckley, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-117A, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30337-2748, 
telephone: (770) 703-6086; facsimile: (770) 703-6097, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in General Machine Diecron, Inc. Service Bulletin GM-D 
32-30-01/102505, dated November 21, 2005. 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 General 
Machine--Diecron, Inc., 3131 U.S. Highway 41, Griffin, Georgia 
30224, telephone: (770) 228-6200; facsimile: (770) 228-6299. 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-2005-23334; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-53-AD.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 9, 2006.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5429 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P