[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60669-60671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24714]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0954; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-078-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech 
Aircraft Corporation) Model 400A and 400T Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Model 400A, and 400T airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
a detailed inspection for proper sealant of the left and right pylon 
firewall structures, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed 
AD results from reports of missing sealant on the left and right pylon 
firewall structures. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
missing sealant on the left and right pylon firewall structures, which, 
in the event of an engine fire, could result in flames penetrating the 
seams in the firewall between the engine and the aft fuselage, and a 
subsequent uncontrolled fire in the aft fuselage.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 15, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, Department 62, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, 
Kansas 67201-0085; telephone 316-676-8238; fax 316-676-6706; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/

[[Page 60670]]

service--support/pubs. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Teplik, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4196; fax (316) 
946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0954; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-078-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received reports of missing sealant on the left and right 
pylon firewall structures. The sealant may not have been applied on the 
firewall at the seams in production. Pylon firewall structures that do 
not have this sealant do not meet the applicable design intent. In the 
event of an engine fire, flames could penetrate the seams in the 
firewall between the engine and the aft fuselage. Missing or inadequate 
sealant, if not corrected, combined with the event of an engine fire 
could result in an uncontrolled fire in the aft fuselage.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
54-3946, Revision 2, dated February 2010. This service bulletin 
describes procedures for doing an inspection of the left and right 
pylon for coverage of firewall sealant on the seams, and corrective 
actions. While Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 54-3946, 
Revision 1, dated May 2009, provides the procedures for doing the 
inspection of the left and right pylon for coverage of firewall sealant 
on the seams and applying sealant, it does not specify the dimensions 
of the sealant. Corrective actions include cleaning, sealing, or 
recoating affected areas; and recoating sealant. Figure 4 of Hawker 
Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 54-3946, Revision 2, dated 
February 2010, contains the specifications of the sealant depth.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously, except as 
discussed under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service 
Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 54-3946, Revision 
2, dated February 2010, specifies a compliance time of the next 
scheduled inspection, but no later than 12 months after the date of the 
service bulletin revision. This proposed AD would require a compliance 
time of within 200 flight hours or within 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first. The service bulletin also does 
not specify what type of inspection to perform. This AD requires that a 
detailed inspection be performed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 165 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour 
per product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is 
$85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be $14,025, or $85 per product.

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 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 this 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

[[Page 60671]]

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 Certificate Previously Held by 
Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. 
FAA-2010-0954; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-078-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 15, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (Type 
Certificate previously held by Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech 
Aircraft Corporation), certificated in any category; as identified 
in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model 400A airplanes having serial numbers RK-337 through 
RK-484, RK-486 through RK-570 inclusive, RK-572, RK-573, and RK-575 
through RK-577 inclusive.
    (2) Model 400T airplane having serial number TX-13.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54: 
Nacelles/Pylons.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of missing sealant on the left 
and right pylon firewall structures. The Federal Aviation 
Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct missing 
sealant on the left and right pylon firewall structures, which, in 
the event of an engine fire, could result in flames penetrating the 
seams in the firewall between the engine and the aft fuselage, and a 
subsequent uncontrolled fire in the aft fuselage.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (g) Within 200 flight hours or 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection 
for appropriate coverage of firewall sealant of the left and right 
pylon firewall structure, as specified in the figures of Hawker 
Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 54-3946, Revision 2, dated 
February 2010, and all applicable corrective actions; in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 54-3946, Revision 2, dated February 2010. Do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) 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: Thomas Teplik, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion 
Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone (316) 946-4196; fax (316) 946-4107.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 23, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-24714 Filed 9-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P