[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 232 (Monday, December 4, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70297-70300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20326]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26258; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-67-AD; 
Amendment 39-14840; AD 2006-24-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 70298]]

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D 
airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the forward, 
vertical, and aft flanges of both the left and right wing rear spar 
lower caps for cracks, repair any cracks found, and report the 
inspection results to RAC. This AD results from additional fatigue 
cracks found in this area since inspections were performed to comply 
with Emergency AD 2006-18-51, which required immediate visual 
inspections of this area. We are issuing this AD for the purpose of 
performing a more rigorous inspection requiring cleaning and paint 
stripping of this section of the wing rear spar to detect and correct 
cracking in the wing spar lower caps of the affected airplanes before 
the cracks lead to failure. These wing rear spar cracks may result in 
wing failure which could result in the wing separating from the 
airplane with consequent loss of control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 11, 2006.
    As of December 11, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by February 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 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.
    To get the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC), Post Office Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085, Phone 1-800-429-5372 or 1-316-676-2000, Fax: 1-316-676-
8745.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The 
docket number is FAA-2006-26258; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-67-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven E. Potter, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; fax: (316) 946-
4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Due to significant cracks found in the wing rear spar of RAC Model 
1900D airplanes, we issued Emergency AD 2006-18-51 on August 31, 2006. 
AD 2006-18-51 required an immediate visual inspection of both the left 
and right wing rear spars near the outboard edge of the engine nacelle. 
This AD was then published in the Federal Register as Amendment 39-
14757 (71 FR 52983, September 8, 2006).
    Additional fatigue cracks in the affected area of the wing rear 
spar have been found since the AD 2006-18-51 inspections were 
performed. One of the airplanes had accumulated 168 hours time-in-
service (TIS) since the visual inspections required by AD 2006-18-51 
were done.
    The FAA has determined a more rigorous and detailed inspection is 
necessary to find such fatigue cracks.
    Cracking in the wing rear spar lower caps and adjacent structure, 
if not corrected, could result in wing failure. Such a wing failure 
could result in the wing separating from the airplane with consequent 
loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Raytheon Aircraft Company Service Bulletin No. 57-3815, 
Issued: October, 2006. The service information describes procedures for 
the left and right rear wing spar lower cap inspection.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing this AD because we have evaluated all known and 
available information and determined the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design. This AD requires a rigorous and detailed inspection of the 
wing rear spar lower caps to find the fatigue cracks. The preparation 
and procedural requirements for these inspections are included in RAC 
Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-3815.
    RAC is developing a modification that, if approved by the FAA, 
would terminate the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD. The 
FAA may take future rulemaking action on this subject.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26258; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-67-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 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 AD.

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 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.

[[Page 70299]]

    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 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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

2006-24-11 Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC): Amendment 39-14840; 
Docket No. FAA-2006-26258; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-67-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 11, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) AD 2006-18-51, Amendment 39-14757 (71 FR 52983, September 8, 
2006), relates to the subject of this AD. However, this AD does not 
supersede or revise that AD. Both ADs are necessary to address the 
unsafe condition.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 1900.................................  UA-3.
(2) 1900C (C-12J)........................  UB-1 through UB-74, UC-1
                                            through UC-174, and UD-1
                                            through UD-6.
(3) 1900D................................  UE-1 through UE-439.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is the result of additional fatigue cracks found in 
the wing rear spar lower caps on a Raytheon Model 1900 airplane 
shortly after complying with AD 2006-18-51. We are issuing this AD 
to require a more rigorous and detailed inspection to find the 
fatigue cracks which are the unsafe condition. Failure to detect 
cracking in the wing rear spar lower caps of the affected airplanes 
could result in a wing failure. Such a wing failure could result in 
the wing separating from the airplane with consequent loss of 
control.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Repetitively inspect both     Initially inspect   Follow the
 the left and right wing rear      within 100 hours    procedures in
 spar lower caps for cracks and    time-in-service     Raytheon
 other damage such as loose or     (TIS) or 30 days    Mandatory Service
 missing fasteners.                after December      Bulletin 57-3815,
                                   11, 2006 (the       dated Issued:
                                   effective date of   October, 2006.
                                   this AD),
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 200 hours
                                   TIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) If cracks are found repair    Before further      Contact RAC at
 all cracks by obtaining and       flight after any    Post Office Box
 incorporating an FAA-approved     inspection          85, Wichita,
 repair scheme from RAC.           required by         Kansas 67201-
                                   paragraph (e)(1)    0085; phone: 316-
                                   of this AD where    676-8366; fax:
                                   cracks are found.   (316) 676-8745; e-
                                                       mail: [email protected].
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Report the inspection         Report the initial  Follow the
 results to Raytheon Aircraft      inspection within   procedures in
 Company using the instructions    10 days after the   Raytheon
 and forms in the service          inspection or 10    Mandatory Service
 bulletin. Complete all sections   days after the      Bulletin 57-3815,
 of the required forms.            effective date of   dated Issued:
 Reporting requirements have       this AD,            October, 2006.
 been approved by the Office of    whichever occurs
 Management and Budget (OMB) and   later. Report the
 assigned OMB control number       repetitive
 2120-0056.                        inspections
                                   within 30 days
                                   after the
                                   inspection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Steven E. Potter, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; fax: (316) 946-4107, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures in 14 CFR 39.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-3815, 
Issued: October, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC), Post Office Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085, Phone 1-800-429-5372 or 1-316-676-2000, Fax: 1-316-676-
8745.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.


[[Page 70300]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 24, 2006.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-20326 Filed 12-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P