[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 47 (Monday, March 12, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10949-10951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4404]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27071; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-004-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models C90A, 
B200, B200C, B300, and B300C Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-23-
02 which applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) (formerly 
Beech) Models C90A, B200, B200C, B300, and B300C airplanes. AD 2006-23-
02 currently requires you to inspect the flight controls for improper 
assembly or damage, and if any improperly assembled or damaged flight 
controls are found, take corrective action. Since we issued AD 2006-23-
02, we have determined the need to add airplane serial numbers that 
were not previously included in the applicability. Consequently, this 
proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2006-23-02 and add airplane 
serial numbers to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect 
and correct improperly assembled or damaged flight controls, which 
could result in an unsafe condition by reducing capabilities of the 
flight controls and lead to loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 11, 2007.

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.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; 
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris B. Morgan, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4154; fax: (316) 946-4107.

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-
2007-27071; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-004-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

    A report from an FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office that 
describes numerous nonconformities during the manufacture of RAC Models 
C90A, B200, B200C, B300, and B300C airplanes caused us to issue AD 
2006-23-02, Amendment 39-14814 (71 FR 65390, November 8, 2006). AD 
2006-23-02 currently requires that you inspect the flight controls for 
improper assembly or damage, and if any improperly assembled or damaged 
flight controls are found, take corrective action on certain RAC Models 
C90A, B200, B200C, B300, and B300C airplanes.
    Since issuing AD 2006-23-02, we have determined the need to add 
airplane serial numbers that were not previously included in the 
applicability.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in an unsafe 
condition by reducing capabilities of the flight controls.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed:

--Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin Number SB 27-
3761, Issued: February 2006; and
--Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin Number SB 27-
3761, Issued: February 2006, Revised: December 2006. This revision adds 
additional serial numbers to the effectivity.

    The service information describes procedures for inspecting the 
flight control systems to ensure conformity with type design and 
correct the unsafe condition.

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 supersede AD 2006-23-02 with a new AD that would retain the 
actions of AD 2006-23-02 and add airplane serial numbers to the 
applicability. This proposed AD would require you to use the service 
information described previously to perform these actions.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    We are requiring all phases of the flight control system be 
inspected at one time. The service information as presented allows some 
sections of the system to go 800 hours time-in-service before they are 
scheduled for inspection. We feel this time is excessive to allow 
potential safety items and nonconformities to exist. We have determined 
that the proposed compliance time will not inadvertently ground the 
affected airplanes.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 138 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

[[Page 10950]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
               Labor cost                              Parts cost                   airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80 work-hours x $80 per hour = $6,400..  Not Applicable.......................          $6,400         $883,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
any corrective action that would be required based on the results of 
the proposed inspection.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2006-23-02, Amendment 39-14814 (71 FR 76575, December 21, 2006), 
and adding the following new AD:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Docket No. FAA-2007-
27071; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-004-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by May 11, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-23-02, Amendment 39-14814.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:
    (1) Group 1 Airplanes (maintains the actions from AD 2006-23-
02):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                            Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) C90A...............................  LJ-1697 through LJ-1726, LJ-
                                          1728, LJ-1729, and LJ-1731
                                          through LJ-1739
(ii) B200..............................  BB-1827 through BB-1912
(iii) B200C............................  BL-148 and BL-149
(iv) B300..............................  FL-379 through FL-423, FL-426,
                                          FL-428 through FL-450, and FL-
                                          452
(v) B300C..............................  FM-11
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Group 2 Airplanes: Model C90A, serial numbers LJ-1741 
through LJ-1743.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from our determination to add airplane 
serial numbers that were not previously included in the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
improperly assembled or damaged flight controls, which could result 
in an unsafe condition by reducing capabilities of the flight 
controls and lead to loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the entire flight     (i) For Group 1     Follow Raytheon
 control system for improper       Airplanes: At       Aircraft Company
 assembly and any damage.          whichever of the    Mandatory Service
                                   following occurs    Bulletin Number
                                   first:              SB 27-3761,
                                  (A) Within 100       Issued: February
                                   hours time-in-      2006; or Raytheon
                                   service (TIS)       Aircraft Company
                                   after December      Mandatory Service
                                   13, 2006 (the       Bulletin Number
                                   effective date of   SB 27-3761,
                                   AD 2006-23-02);     Issued: February
                                   or.                 2006, Revised:
                                  (B) At the next      December 2006.
                                   annual inspection
                                   that occurs at
                                   least 30 days
                                   after December
                                   13, 2006 (the
                                   effective date of
                                   AD 2006-23-02)..
                                  (ii) For Group 2
                                   Airplanes: At
                                   whichever of the
                                   following occurs
                                   first:
                                  (A) Within 100
                                   hours TIS after
                                   the effective
                                   date of this AD;
                                   or

[[Page 10951]]

 
                                  (B) At the next
                                   annual inspection
                                   that occurs at
                                   least 30 days
                                   after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD.
(2) If you find any improperly    Before further      Follow Raytheon
 assembled or damaged flight       flight after the    Aircraft Company
 controls as a result of the       inspection          Mandatory Service
 inspection required by            required by         Bulletin Number
 paragraph (e)(1) of this AD,      paragraph (e)(1)    SB 27-3761,
 take corrective action as         of this AD.         Issued: February
 specified in the service                              2006; or Raytheon
 information                                           Aircraft Company
                                                       Mandatory Service
                                                       Bulletin Number
                                                       SB 27-3761,
                                                       Issued: February
                                                       2006, Revised:
                                                       December 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, ATTN: Chris B. Morgan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 
1801 Airport Road, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4154; 
fax: (316) 946-4107, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before 
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (g) AMOCs approved for AD 2006-23-02 are approved for this AD.

Related Information

    (h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, 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-2007-27071; Directorate Identifier 
2007-CE-004-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 6, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-4404 Filed 3-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P