Airworthiness directives: Raytheon,

[Federal Register: September 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 175)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 49112-49113]

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

[DOCID:fr10se99-32]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-313-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); proposed rescission.

SUMMARY: This document proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Raytheon Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes, that currently requires inspections of the thrust reverser system for integrity, and correction of any discrepancy found. The actions specified by that AD are intended to prevent a significant reduction in the controllability of the airplane due to an in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser. Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has issued a separate AD that requires the accomplishment of modifications that terminate the requirements of the existing AD.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-313-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Information pertaining to this proposed rule may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 97-NM-313-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-313-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

On April 20, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-09-11, amendment 39-8900 (59 FR 22125, April 29, 1994), applicable to certain Raytheon Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes, to require inspections of the thrust reverser system for integrity, and correction of any discrepancy found. That action was prompted by a report that there is a possibility of failure of the drive links (or attachments) on the thrust reversers of these airplanes due to the single link design concept of the thrust reverser link and lock system. That condition, if not corrected, could result in inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser during flight. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent a significant reduction in the controllability of the airplane due to an in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser.

[[Page 49113]]

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has issued AD 96-22-03, amendment 39-9792 (61 FR 57295, November 6, 1996), which requires modifications of the thrust reversers on certain Raytheon Model BAe 125-1000A and Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes. AD 96-22-03 became effective on December 11, 1996, and the actions specified in that AD were required to be accomplished within 6 months after that date.

FAA's Conclusions

Since the actions required by AD 96-22-03 were required to be accomplished by June 11, 1997, and because such accomplishment constitutes terminating action for the requirements of AD 94-09-11, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to rescind AD 94-09-11 in order to prevent operators from performing an unnecessary action.

This proposed action would rescind AD 94-09-11. Rescission of AD 94-09-11 would constitute only such action, and, if followed by a final action, would not preclude the agency from issuing another notice in the future, nor would it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry are affected by AD 94-09-11. The actions that are currently required by that AD take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180 per airplane. However, the adoption of this proposed rescission would eliminate those costs.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); and (3) if promulgated, 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 draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Dcket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8900.

   Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-. Docket 97-NM-313-AD. Rescinds AD 94-09-11, Amendment 39-8900.

   Applicability: Model BAe 125-1000A and Hawker 1000 series airplanes; as listed in Raytheon Corporate Jets Service Bulletin SB 78-12, dated January 4, 1994; certificated in any category.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 3, 1999. Dorenda D. Baker, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-23622Filed9-9-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P