Airworthiness directives: Raytheon,

[Federal Register: May 9, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 88)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 24341-24342]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09my05-20]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20111; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-154-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model HS.125 Series 700A Airplanes, Model BAe.125 Series 800A Airplanes, and Model Hawker 800 and Hawker 800XP Airplanes

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

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Model HS.125 series 700A airplanes, BAe.125 Series 800A airplanes, and Model Hawker 800 and Hawker 800XP airplanes. The original NPRM would have required an inspection to determine the current rating of the circuit breakers of certain cockpit ventilation and avionics cooling system blowers; and replacing the circuit breakers and modifying the blower wiring, as applicable. The original NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that a blower motor seized up and gave off smoke. This action revises the original NPRM by clarifying the compliance time and removing a reporting requirement. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent smoke and fumes in the cockpit in the event that a blower motor seizes and overheats due to excessive current draw.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by June 3, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this supplemental NPRM.

DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, Department 62, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085.

You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20111; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-154-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Petty, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Mid Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4139; fax (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this supplemental NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20111; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-154-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this supplemental NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this supplemental NPRM in light of those comments.

We will post all comments submitted, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov , including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this supplemental NPRM. Using the search function of our docket web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov , or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647- 5227) is located on the plaza level in the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for an AD (the ``original NPRM'') for certain Raytheon Model HS.125 series 700A airplanes, Model BAe.125 series 800A airplanes, and Model Hawker 800 and Hawker 800XP airplanes. The original NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2005 (70 FR 3318). The original NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine the current rating of the circuit breakers of certain cockpit ventilation and avionics cooling system blowers; and replacing the circuit breakers and modifying the blower wiring, as applicable.

Actions Since Original NPRM was Issued

Since we issued the original NPRM, we discovered an important inconsistency in the phrasing of the compliance time. Certain wording in paragraph (f) of the original NPRM reads ``* * * and avionics cooling system blowers; and replace the circuit breakers * * *'' To ensure that the unsafe condition is corrected in a timely manner, we have revised the wording in paragraph (f) of this supplemental NPRM to read ``* * * and avionics cooling system blowers; and, before further flight, replace the circuit breakers * * *''

We have also determined that the phrasing of paragraph (f) would have placed undue hardship on operators by requiring reporting of compliance with the service bulletin. We do not need this information and have revised paragraph (f) and added a new paragraph (h) to explicitly remove the reporting requirement in this supplemental NPRM. Because of the new paragraph (h), we have reidentified the existing paragraph (h) of the original NPRM as paragraph (i) in this supplemental NPRM.

[[Page 24342]]

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

The changes discussed above expand the scope of the original NPRM; therefore, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for public comment on this supplemental NPRM.

Differences Between the Supplemental NPRM and Service Information

Although the service bulletin specifies that operators may contact the manufacturer for disposition of certain repair conditions, this proposed AD would require operators to repair those conditions according to a method approved by the FAA.

Although the service bulletin describes procedures for reporting compliance to the manufacturer, this supplemental NPRM would not make such a requirement. We do not need this information from operators.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 350 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 250 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this supplemental NPRM on U.S. operators is $16,250, or $65 per airplane.

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 supplemental NPRM. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

   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 airworthiness directive (AD):

   Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2005-20111; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-154-AD.

   Comments Due Date

   (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on this AD action by June 3, 2005.

   Affected ADs

   (b) None.

   Applicability

   (c) This AD applies to Raytheon Model HS.125 series 700A airplanes, BAe.125 Series 800A airplanes, and Model Hawker 800 and Hawker 800XP airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with Brailsford TBL-2.5 blowers; as identified in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 24-3272, Revision 1, dated October 2000.

   Unsafe Condition

   (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that a cockpit ventilation and avionics cooling system blower motor seized up and gave off smoke due to inadequate short circuit protection on the blower motor electrical circuit. We are issuing this AD to prevent smoke and fumes in the cockpit in the event that a blower motor seizes and overheats due to excessive current draw.

   Compliance

   (e) 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 Actions

   (f) Within 600 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect to determine the current rating of the circuit breakers of certain cockpit ventilation and avionics cooling system blowers; and, before further flight, replace the circuit breakers and modify the blower wiring, as applicable; by doing all the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 24-3272, Revision 1, dated October 2000; except as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

   Contacting the Manufacturer

   (g) Where the service bulletin specifies contacting the manufacturer for information if any difficulties are encountered while accomplishing the service bulletin, this AD requires you to contact the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

   No Reporting Requirement

   (h) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include this requirement.

   Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

   (i) The Manager, Wichita ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2005. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 05-9189 Filed 5-6-05; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P