[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36912-36914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13088]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28434; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-053-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (Type 
Certificates No. 3A15 and No. 3A16 Previously Held by Raytheon Aircraft 
Company) F33 Series and Models G33, V35B, A36, A36TC, B36TC, 95-B55, 
D55, E55, A56TC, 58, and G58 Airplanes and Raytheon Aircraft Company 
Models 58P, 58TC, and 77 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation F33 Series and Models G33, V35B, 
A36, A36TC, B36TC, 95-B55, D55, E55, A56TC, 58, and G58 airplanes and 
Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 58P, 58TC, and 77 airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require you to replace certain circuit breaker toggle 
switches with improved design circuit breaker toggle switches. This 
proposed AD results from reports of certain circuit breaker toggle 
switches used in various electrical systems throughout the affected 
airplanes overheating. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of 
the circuit breaker toggle switch, which could result in smoke in the 
cockpit and the inability to turn off the switch.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 4, 
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.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, 9709 East Central, Wichita, Kansas 
67291; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose Flores, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; 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-
2007-28434; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-053-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 have received reports of circuit breaker toggle switch failure 
on certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation F33 Series and Models G33, 
V35B, A36, A36TC, B36TC, 95-B55, D55, E55, A56TC, 58, and G58 airplanes 
and Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 58P, 58TC, and 77 airplanes. These 
circuit breaker toggle switches are used in various electrical systems 
throughout the airplanes, which include but are not limited to anti-ice 
systems (PITOT, WSHLD, PROP), landing lights, strobe

[[Page 36913]]

lights, taxi lights, and the rotating beacon.
    Analysis of the affected circuit breaker toggle switches, part 
numbers (P/Ns) 35-380132-1 through 35-380132-53, shows that a copper 
braid inside the switch frays with use causing an internal short. The 
short causes the circuit breaker toggle switch to overheat producing 
smoke and a burning smell in the cockpit either from internal switch 
components melting or from external wiring melting because it is no 
longer protected by the breaker.
    The manufacturer has developed a circuit breaker toggle switch with 
improved internal isolation, P/N 35-380132-61 through 35-380132-113.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of 
circuit breaker toggle switch. This failure could result in smoke in 
the cockpit and the inability to turn off the switch.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Hawker Beechcraft Recommended Service Bulletin SB 
24-3807, Issued: May, 2007 and Raytheon Aircraft Company Recommended 
Service Bulletin SB 24-3735, Issued: August, 2005. The service 
information describes procedures for replacing circuit breaker toggle 
switches, P/Ns 35-380132-1 through 35-380132-53, with parts of improved 
design, P/Ns 35-380132-61 through 35-380132-113.

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 replace certain circuit breaker toggle switches 
with improved design circuit breaker toggle switches.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 10,821 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total cost per circuit      Total cost on U.S.
             Labor cost                      Parts cost          breaker toggle switch          operators
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1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80 per  $105 per circuit         $185 for each circuit     From $2,001,885 to
 circuit breaker toggle switch.        breaker toggle switch.   breaker toggle switch.    replace one circuit
                                                                Each airplane typically   breaker toggle switch
                                                                has more than 1 circuit   per affected airplane
                                                                breaker toggle switch     up to $30,028,275 to
                                                                installed. Some           replace 15 circuit
                                                                airplanes may have up     breaker toggle
                                                                to 15.                    switches per airplane.
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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 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) 647-5527) 
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:

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificates No. 3A15 and No. 
3A16 previously held by Raytheon Aircraft Company) and Raytheon 
Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2007-28434; Directorate Identifier 
2007-CE-053-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by September 4, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that have a part number (P/N) 35-380132-1 through 35-380132-
53 circuit breaker toggle switch installed and are certificated in 
any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) F33 and G33......................  CD-1235 through CD-1304.
(2) F33A.............................  CE-290 through CE-1791.
(3) F33C.............................  CJ-26 through CJ-179.

[[Page 36914]]

 
(4) V35B.............................  D-9069 through D-10403.
(5) A36..............................  E-185 through E-3629 and E-3631
                                        through E-3635.
(6) A36TC and B36TC..................  EA-1 through EA-695.
(7) 95-B55...........................  TC-1913, TC-1936 through TC-2456.
(8) D55..............................  TE-452 through TE-767.
(9) E55..............................  TE-768 through TE-1201.
(10) A56TC...........................  TG-84 through TG-94.
(11) 58..............................  TH-1 through TH-2124.
(12) 58P.............................  TJ-3 through TJ-497.
(13) 58TC............................  TK-1 through TK-151.
(14) G58.............................  TH-2126, TH-2127, TH-2131 through
                                        TH-2134, TH-2136, TH-2137, TH-
                                        2139 through TH-2141, and TH-
                                        2143 through TH-2150.
(15) 77..............................   WA-1 through WA-312.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of certain circuit breaker 
toggle switches used in various electrical systems through the 
affected airplanes overheating. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the circuit breaker toggle switch, which could result in 
smoke in the cockpit and the inability to turn off the switch.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace all affected circuit  Within the next 12  As specified in
 breaker toggle switches           months after the    Hawker Beechcraft
 specified in paragraph (c) of     effective date of   Recommended
 this AD with an improved          this AD.            Service Bulletin
 circuit breaker toggle switch,                        SB 24-3807,
 P/N 35-380132-61 through 35-                          Issued: May,
 380132-113, as applicable.                            2007, and
                                                       Raytheon Aircraft
                                                       Company
                                                       Recommended
                                                       Service Bulletin
                                                       SB 24-3735,
                                                       Issued: August,
                                                       2005.
(2) Do not install a circuit      Before further      Not applicable.
 breaker toggle switch specified   flight after the
 in paragraph (c) of this AD.      replacement
                                   required by
                                   paragraph (e)(1)
                                   of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Jose Flores, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-
4132; fax: (316) 946-4107. 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.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, 9709 East Central, 
Wichita, Kansas 67291; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. 
To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-
2007-28434; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-053-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 29, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13088 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P