[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3348-3350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00951]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-078-AD]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Beechcraft Corporation Model BAe.125 series 1000A and 1000B 
airplanes and Model Hawker 1000 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, 
which can result in high forward engine thrust even though the throttle 
is commanding reverse thrust. This proposed AD would require installing 
kits that include relays, associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail 
annunciator. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of 
the thrust reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a 
rejected takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and 
possible injury to occupants.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR

[[Page 3349]]

11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, 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 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-2016-
0460; 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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, Dwight D. 
Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4167; 
fax: 316-946-4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-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 inadvertent stowage of the thrust 
reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust even though 
the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. These reports were on 
another type of airplane that utilizes a similar engine and thrust 
reverser system. The root cause is incorrect software logic within the 
engine's electronic control unit. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which 
could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff or during 
landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to 
occupants.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated 
May 2015. The service information describes procedures for installing 
kits having part numbers 140-9005 and 140-9006, which include relays, 
associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail annunciator. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Although Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 
2015, specifies that ``Should any difficulty be encountered in 
accomplishing this Service Bulletin, contact Beechcraft Corporation,'' 
this proposed AD would require operators to resolve difficulties in 
accordance with a method approved by the FAA.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation........................  340 work-hours x $85           $100,000         $128,900       $4,898,200
                                       per hour = $28,900.
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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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This

[[Page 3350]]

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),
    (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.

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

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):

Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker 
Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company): Docket No. FAA-
2016-0460; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-078-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 7, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Beechcraft Corporation (type certificate 
previously held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft 
Company) airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BAe.125 series 1000A and 1000B airplanes, serial 
numbers 258151, 258159, and 259004 through 259042 inclusive.
    (2) Model Hawker 1000 airplanes, serial numbers 259003 and 
259043 through 259052 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Exhaust.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent stowage of the 
thrust reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust 
even though the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of the thrust 
reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected 
takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and possible 
injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation

    Within 600 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first: Install kits having part numbers 
140-9005 and 140-9006, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated 
May 2015, except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Exception to Service Information

    A note in the Accomplishment Instructions of Beechcraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015, instructs 
operators to contact Beechcraft Corporation if any difficulty is 
encountered in accomplishing the service bulletin. However, any 
deviation from the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD must 
be approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.

(i) 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 (j)(1) of this AD.
    (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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) 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, Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; 
phone: 316-946-4167; fax: 316-946-4107; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) 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 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 8, 2016.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00951 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P