Airworthiness directives: Raytheon,

[Federal Register: May 24, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 101)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 36509-36511]

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

[DOCID:fr24my02-5]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-32-AD; Amendment 39-12759; AD 2002-10-13]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 58P, 60, A60, B60, and 65-88 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 58P, 60, A60, B60, and 65-88 airplanes. This AD requires you to install new exterior operating instruction placards for the exit doors. This AD is the result of Raytheon improving the visibility and understandability of the door operating instruction placards. This was done as a result of difficulty opening the emergency exits of a similar type design airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to assure that clear and complete operating instructions are visible for opening the emergency exit doors. If not visible and understandable, this could result in the inability to open the exit door during an emergency situation.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 8, 2002.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of July 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201- 0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-32-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid- Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

The FAA believes that the instructions for opening the exit doors are either not visible or not easy to understand on Raytheon Model 58P, 60, A60, B60, and 65-88 airplanes. This is based on an accident involving a similar type design airplane that resulted in the issuance of AD 97-04-02. AD 97-04-02was later superseded by AD 98-21-20 to incorporate more visible and understandable instructions.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

If the exterior door operating instruction placards are not visible and understandable, this could result in the inability to open the exit doors during an emergency situation.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Raytheon Model 58P, 60, A60, B60, and 65-88 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 14, 2002 (67 FR 1670). The NPRM proposed to require you to install new exterior operating instruction placards for the exit doors.

Was the Public Invited to Comment?

The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

[sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

[sbull] Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

We estimate that this AD affects 850 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification:

Labor cost

Parts cost

Total cost per airplane

Total cost on U.S. operators

2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120... $40................................. $120 + $40 = $160................... $160 x 850 = $136,000.

[[Page 36510]]

The manufacturer will provide warranty credit for parts to the extent noted under Material Information in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 11-3404, Issued: June, 2001.

Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

The compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 100 hours time- in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD or within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished.''

Why Is the Compliance Time of This AD Presented in Both Hours TIS and Calendar Time?

The unsafe condition on these airplanes is not a result of the number of times the airplane is operated. Airplane operation varies among operators. For example, one operator may operate the airplane 50 hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that the compliance time of this AD should be specified in both hours TIS and calendar time in order to assure this condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over time.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

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 Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.

   [sect] 39.13 [Amended]

2. FAA amends [sect] 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

   2002-10-13 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12759; Docket No. 2001-CE-32-AD.

   (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:

   Model

   Serial numbers

   58P................................. TJ-3 through TJ-497. 60.................................. P-4 through P-122 and P-124 through P-126. A60................................. P-123 and P-127 through P-246. B60................................. P-247 through P-596. 65-88............................... LP-1 through LP-26, LP-28, and LP- 30 through LP-47.

   (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.

   (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to assure that clear and complete operating instructions are visible for opening the exit doors. If not visible and understandable, this could result in the inability to open the exit door during an emergency situation.

   (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

   Actions

   Compliance

   Procedures

   Modify the exterior door Within the next 100 In accordance with operating procedures by hours time-in-

   the Accomplishment installing the applicable service (TIS) after Instructions placard as specified in the July 8, 2002 (the section of Raytheon service bulletin.

   effective date of Aircraft Mandatory this AD) or within Service Bulletin SB the next 12

   11-3404, Issued: calendar months June, 2001. after July 8, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished.

   (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

   (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and

   (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

   Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/ operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

   (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

   (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.

   (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 11-3404, Issued: June, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

   [[Page 36511]]

   Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

   (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 2002.

   Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 16, 2002. Terry L. Chasteen, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 02-12885Filed5-23-02; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P