[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44669-44672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17325]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0254; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-047-AD; 
Amendment 39-17910; AD 2014-15-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon 
Aircraft Company) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker 
Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Model Hawker 800XP, 
850XP, and 900XP airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review 
that revealed there were no instructions to apply sealant to structural 
components in the fuel tank during the winglet installation process. 
This AD requires an inspection for the presence of sealant on doubler 
plate edges, doubler plate rivets, and adjacent skin in the fuel vent 
surge tanks; and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct missing sealant, which, during a lightning 
strike, could result in a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank 
and consequent explosion or

[[Page 44670]]

fire and subsequent in-flight breakup of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 5, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 5, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085; 
telephone 316-676-8238; fax 316-671-2540; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0254; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Englert, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4167; fax: 316-
946-4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Beechcraft 
Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft 
Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Model Hawker 800XP, 850XP, and 
900XP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 
24, 2014 (79 FR 22783). The NPRM was prompted by a design review that 
revealed there were no instructions to apply sealant to structural 
components in the fuel tank during the winglet installation process. 
The sealant is part of the lightning protection design for the fuel 
tanks. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection for the presence of 
sealant on doubler plate edges, doubler plate rivets, and adjacent skin 
in the fuel vent surge tanks; and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing sealant, which, 
during a lightning strike, could result in a potential source of 
ignition in a fuel tank and consequent explosion or fire and subsequent 
in-flight breakup of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 22783, April 24, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 22783, April 24, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 22783, April 24, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 50 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................  2 work-hours x $85    None................            $170           $8,500
                                     per hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no 
way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sealant application..........................  36 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $32           $3,092
                                                $3,060.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 44671]]

because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2014-15-08 Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company): 
Amendment 39-17910; Docket No. FAA-2014-0254; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-047-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 5, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate 
previously held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft 
Company) Model Hawker 800XP, 850XP, and 900XP airplanes, 
certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a design review that revealed there were 
no instructions to apply sealant to structural components in the 
fuel tank during the winglet installation process. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct missing sealant, which, during a 
lightning strike, could result in a potential source of ignition in 
a fuel tank and consequent explosion or fire and subsequent in-
flight breakup of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and 
(g)(3) of this AD: Within 600 flight hours or 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a general 
visual inspection for the presence of sealant on doubler plate 
edges, doubler plate rivets, and adjacent skin in the top and bottom 
of the left and right fuel vent surge tanks, and do all applicable 
corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Hawker Beechcraft Service Bulletin SB 57-4112, dated 
February 2013, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. Do 
all applicable corrective actions before further flight.
    (1) Any Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate previously held 
by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Model 
Hawker 800XP airplane, serial numbers 258324, 258326 through 258332 
inclusive, 258334 through 258340 inclusive, 258342 through 258347 
inclusive, 258349 through 258359 inclusive, 258361 through 258369 
inclusive, 258371 through 258380 inclusive, 258382 through 258406 
inclusive, 258408 through 258426 inclusive, 258428 through 258444 
inclusive, 258446 through 258468 inclusive, 258470 through 258492 
inclusive, 258494 through 258512 inclusive, 258514 through 258532 
inclusive, 258534 through 258540 inclusive, 258542 through 258555 
inclusive, 258557 through 258566 inclusive, 258278, 258541, 258556, 
258567 through 258609 inclusive, 258611 through 258628 inclusive, 
258630 through 258684 inclusive, 258686 through 258734 inclusive, 
258736 through 258788 inclusive, 258795, 258802, 258821, 258825, 
258829, 258834, 258840, and 258847; equipped with a kit numbered 
140-1701-1, 140-1702-1, 140-1703-1,140-1703-5, 140-1703-7, or 140-
1704-1 that was purchased from Hawker Beechcraft on or before 
February 13, 2013.
    (2) Any Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate previously held 
by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Model 
Hawker 850XP airplane having serial numbers 258789 through 258794 
inclusive, 258796, 258798 through 258801 inclusive, 258803 through 
258819 inclusive, 258822, 258823, 258826 through 258828 inclusive, 
258830 through 258833 inclusive, 258835 through 258838 inclusive, 
258841, 258844, 258845, 258848, 258852, 258855, 258856, 258858, 
258859, 258861, 258872, 258874, 258876, 258891, 258893, 258895, 
258900, 258901, 258904, 258907, 258909, 258912, 258915, 258921, 
258959, 258961, 258963, 258977, 258980, 258982, and subsequent 
serial numbers; equipped with a kit numbered 140-1701-1, 140-1702-1, 
140-1703-1, 140-1703-5, 140-1703-7, or 140-1704-1 that was purchased 
on or before February 13, 2013.
    (3) Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate previously held by 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Model 
Hawker 900XP airplanes having serial numbers HA-0156 and HA-0159.

(h) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is a 
visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or 
assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This 
level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless 
otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual 
access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of 
inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such 
as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may 
require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, 
ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area 
being checked.

(i) Exception to the Service Information

    A note in the Accomplishment Instructions of the Hawker 
Beechcraft Service Bulletin SB 57-4112, dated February 2013, 
instructs operators to contact Hawker Beechcraft if any difficulty 
is encountered in accomplishing the service information. However, 
this AD requires that any deviation from the instructions provided 
in Hawker Beechcraft Service Bulletin SB 57-4112, dated February 
2013, must be approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
under the provisions of paragraph (k) of this AD.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no kit 
having kit number 140-1701-1, 140-1702-1, 140-1703-1, 140-1703-5, 
140-1703-7, or 140-1704-1, that was purchased before February 13, 
2013, may be installed on any airplane unless the installation 
includes sealant on doubler plate edges, doubler plate rivets, and 
adjacent skin in the top and bottom of the left and right fuel vent 
surge tanks, as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Hawker Beechcraft Service Bulletin SB 57-4112, dated February 2013.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

[[Page 44672]]

    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Englert, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-
116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-
4167; fax: 316-946-4107; email: [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Hawker Beechcraft Service Bulletin SB 57-4112, dated 
February 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085; 
telephone 316-676-8238; fax 316-671-2540; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 15, 2014.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17325 Filed 7-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P