[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 17, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60924-60926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17188]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 17, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 60924]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25739; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-46-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 58 and 
G58 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 58 and G58 airplanes 
with optional propeller unfeathering accumulators installed. This 
proposed AD would require you to inspect the left propeller accumulator 
oil tube assembly for any chafing; replace the propeller accumulator 
oil tube assembly if any chafing is found; and reposition and secure 
with clamps both the left engine manifold pressure hose and its metal 
identification tags to avoid contact with other tubes, hoses, 
electrical wires, parts, components, and structure. This proposed AD 
results from several reports on the affected airplanes of chafing 
damage on the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly. This 
includes an in-flight oil leak from the left engine on an RAC Model G58 
airplane. We are proposing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent any 
chafing damage of the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly, 
which could result in loss of engine oil. Loss of engine oil may lead 
to fire or smoke in the engine compartment, inability to unfeather the 
propeller, engine damage, or loss of engine power.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 18, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     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 20590-0001.
     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, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; 
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-25739; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-46-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 we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received several reports of chafing damage to the propeller 
accumulator oil tube assembly on RAC Models 58 and G58 airplanes. The 
damage occurs when the left engine manifold pressure hose and its metal 
identification tags rubs against the tube assembly. Included in these 
reports was an in-flight oil leak on an RAC Model G58 airplane.
    The RAC issued Safety Communique No. 271, dated May 2006, that 
recommended an inspection for possible chafing between the left engine 
manifold pressure hose and its metal identification tags and the left 
propeller accumulator oil tube assembly.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of engine 
oil. Loss of engine oil may lead to fire or smoke in the engine 
compartment, inability to unfeather the propeller, engine damage, or 
loss of engine power.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed RAC Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 61-3806, 
issued: August 2006.
    The service information describes procedures for:
     Inspecting the left engine manifold pressure hose and its 
metal identification tags for proper clearance to avoid any chafing 
with the propeller accumulator oil tube assembly;
     Inspecting the left propeller accumulator oil tube 
assembly for chafing damage and replacing if any chafing damage is 
found; and
     Relocating and securing with clamps the manifold pressure 
hose and its metal identification tags to ensure clearance between it 
and all tubes, hoses, electrical wires, parts, components, and 
structure.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would require you to inspect the left propeller accumulator oil tube 
assembly for any chafing; replace the propeller accumulator oil tube 
assembly if any chafing is found; and reposition and secure with clamps 
the left manifold pressure hose and its metal identification tags to 
ensure clearance between it and all tubes, hoses, electrical wires, 
parts, components, and structure.

[[Page 60925]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 49 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Total cost per     Total cost on
                 Labor cost                            Parts cost                airplane        U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80...........  N/A..........................              $119             $5,831
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
                Labor cost                   Parts cost      airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80..........         $39             $119
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    RAC will provide warranty credit as specified in RAC Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. SB 61-3806, issued: August 2006.

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 and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 adding the following new AD:

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2006-25739; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-46-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by December 18, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models 58 and G58 airplanes, serial 
numbers TH-2097 through TH-2150, with optional propeller 
unfeathering accumulators installed, that are certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from several reports on the affected 
airplanes of chafing damage on the left propeller accumulator oil 
tube assembly. This includes an in-flight oil leak from the left 
engine on an RAC Model G58 airplane.We are issuing this AD to 
detect, correct, and prevent any chafing damage of the left 
propeller accumulator oil tube assembly, which could result in loss 
of engine oil. Loss of engine oil may lead to fire or smoke in the 
engine compartment, inability to unfeather the propeller, engine 
damage, or loss of engine power.

Compliance

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

[[Page 60926]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the left          For airplanes that    Follow Raytheon
 propeller accumulator oil     have not had a 100-   Aircraft Company
 tube assembly for chafing.    hour TIS inspection   Mandatory Service
                               or the inspection     Bulletin No. SB 61-
                               following Raytheon    3806, issued:
                               Safety                August 2006.
                               Communiqu[eacute]
                               No. 271, dated May
                               2006: Within the
                               next 25 hours TIS
                               after the effective
                               date of this AD.
                               For airplanes that
                               have had a 100-hour
                               TIS inspection or
                               the inspection
                               following Raytheon
                               Safety
                               Communiqu[eacute]
                               No. 271, dated May
                               2006: Within the
                               next 50 hours TIS
                               after the effective
                               date of this AD.
(2) If any chafing is found   Before further        Follow Raytheon
 in the inspection required    flight after the      Aircraft Company
 by paragraph (e)(1) of this   inspection required   Mandatory Service
 AD, replace the propeller     by paragraph (e)(1)   Bulletin No. SB 61-
 accumulator oil tube          of this AD.           3806, issued:
 assembly.                                           August 2006.
(3) Reposition and secure     Before further        Follow Raytheon
 with clamps the left          flight after the      Aircraft Company
 manifold pressure hose and    inspection or         Mandatory Service
 its metal identification      replacement           Bulletin No. SB 61-
 tags to ensure clearance      required in           3806, issued:
 between it and all tubes,     paragraphs (e)(1)     August 2006.
 hoses, electrical wires,      and (e)(2) of this
 parts, components, and        AD.
 structure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Jeff Pretz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-
4153; facsimile: (316) 946-4407, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, 
Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. 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, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-25739; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-46-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 10, 2006.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-17188 Filed 10-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P