[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42586-42589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18908]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0608; Product Identifier 2017-CE-017-AD; Amendment 
39-19020; AD 2017-18-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. 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 
Textron Aviation Inc. Model 390 airplanes (type certificate previously 
held by Beechcraft Corporation). This AD was prompted by reports of 
hydraulic fluid loss from the engine driven pumps (EDPs) on three 
different airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine if an 
affected EDP is installed with replacement as necessary. We are issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 16, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 16, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact

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Textron Aviation Inc., Textron Aviation Customer Service, P.O. Box 
7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.txtavsupport.com. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, Policy and Innovation 
Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It 
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0608.

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-2017-
0608; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office 
(phone: 800-647-5527) is Document 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: Paul C. DeVore, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: (316) 946-4142; fax: (316) 946-4107, email: 
[email protected] or [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 Textron Aviation 
Inc. Model 390 airplanes (type certificate previously held by 
Beechcraft Corporation). The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
June 20, 2017 (82 FR 28026). The NPRM was prompted by reports of 
hydraulic fluid loss from the engine driven pumps (EDPs) on three 
different Textron Aviation Inc. Model 390 airplanes. In one incident, 
the airplane exited the runway at a high speed, resulting in extensive 
damage to the airplane. One manufacturing lot of EDPs has excessive 
pitting in the aluminum port caps that could cause multiple-origin 
fatigue cracking of the port caps. Flammable hydraulic fluid could leak 
into the engine compartment, and the leaking could also cause loss of 
all normal hydraulic functions, including normal anti-skid braking, 
ground spoilers, speedbrakes, and normal landing gear extension. The 
NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine if an affected EDP 
is installed with replacement as necessary. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 final rule 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Parker Service Bulletin 66179-29-486, dated August 4, 
2016, which identifies the affected serial number EDPs. We also 
reviewed Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 29-4161, dated 
November 18, 2016, which describes procedures for determining if an 
affected serial number EDP is installed and procedures for replacing 
the EDP if necessary. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 179 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 to determine if        .5 work-hour x $85   Not applicable...........          $42.50       $7,607.50
 affected serial number EDP is     per hour = $42.50.
 installed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We 
estimate the affected manufacturer lot of EDPs as 28 EDPs. If an 
airplane has two of the affected EDPs installed, both EDPs must be 
replaced. However, no more than a total of 28 EDPs will require 
replacing for the U.S. fleet:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the EDP.....................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.         $17,388         $17,643
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some 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

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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes and domestic 
business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy and 
Innovation Division.

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):

2017-18-11 Textron Aviation Inc.: Amendment 39-19020; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0608; Product Identifier 2017-C E-017-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 16, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (type certificate 
previously held by Beechcraft Corporation) Model 390 airplanes; 
serial numbers RB-4 through RB-295; certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of hydraulic fluid loss from the 
engine driven pumps (EDPs) on three different airplanes. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the EDP that could cause 
leakage of hydraulic fluid and possibly lead to loss of normal 
hydraulic functions, which could lead to a high-speed runway overrun 
and/or an in-flight fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 100 hours time-in service (TIS) after October 16, 2017 
(the effective date of this AD), inspect the airplane to determine 
if any affected serial number EDP, part number (P/N) 66179-01 
(Beechcraft/Textron P/N 390-389022-0003), is installed on the 
airplane following the Accomplishment Instructions in Beechcraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 29-4161, dated November 18, 2016. Use 
table 1 in Parker Service Bulletin 66179-29-486, dated August 4, 
2016, to identify the affected serial numbers of EDP, P/N 66179-01 
(Beechcraft/Textron P/N 390-389022-0003).

(h) Replacement

    If any affected serial number EDP was found during the 
inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, within 100 hours 
TIS after October 16, 2017 (the effective date of this AD), replace 
any affected serial number EDP, P/N 66179-01 (Beechcraft/Textron P/N 
390-389022-0003), with a serviceable serial number EDP, P/N 66179-01 
(Beechcraft/Textron P/N 390-389022-0003) that is either not listed 
in table 1 of Parker Service Bulletin 66179-29-486, dated August 4, 
2016, or has been reworked following Parker Service Bulletin 66179-
29-486, dated August 4, 2016. Use the Accomplishment Instructions in 
Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 29-4161, dated November 18, 
2016, to do the replacement actions.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, 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 Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Paul C. DeVore, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4142; fax: (316) 946-
4107, email: [email protected] or [email protected].

(k) 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) Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 29-4161, dated 
November 18, 2016.
    (ii) Parker Service Bulletin 66179-29-486, dated August 4, 2016.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Textron Aviation Inc., Textron Aviation Customer Service, P.O. Box 
7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.txtavsupport.com; Internet: 
www.txtav.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (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.


[[Page 42589]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 29, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18908 Filed 9-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P