Airworthiness directives: Raytheon,
[Federal Register: December 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 233)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 68060-68062]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06de99-25]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-334-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A and 400T Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A and 400T series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection to detect incorrect wiring of the engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs, and corrective action, if necessary. It would also require a modification to the wiring and the addition of wire harness and bottle labeling for future reference. This proposal is prompted by reports of incorrect wiring of the engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher bottle.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 20, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-334-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.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering, Beechjet/Premier Technical Support Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Dixon, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4152; fax (316) 946-4407.
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 99-NM-334-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. 99-NM-334-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received 5 reports indicating that incorrect wiring of the fire extinguisher bottle squibs was found. This incorrect wiring consisted of some fire extinguisher bottle squibs having the positive and negative wires reversed and some fire extinguisher bottle squibs having the left and right engine fire extinguisher harnesses reversed. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher bottle.
[[Page 68061]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 26-3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection to detect incorrect wiring (i.e., wiring that does not agree with the wiring manual) of the engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs, and repair, if necessary. The service bulletin also describes a modification to the wiring and the addition of wire harness and bottle labeling for future reference. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 350 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 310 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It is estimated that it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $18,600, or $60 per airplane.
It is estimated that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,200, or $120 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $55,800, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for labor costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this proposed AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.
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 Docket 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
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Docket 99-NM-334-AD.
Applicability: Model 400A series airplanes, serial numbers RK-45 and RK-49 through RK-209 inclusive; Model 400T series airplanes (T- 1A), serial numbers TT-01 through TT-180 inclusive; and Model 400T series airplanes (TX), serial numbers TX-01 through TX-09 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, 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 (c) 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 the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher bottle, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Corrective Action
(a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the left and right engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs to detect wiring that is incorrect as specified by Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 26- 3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999. Perform the inspection in accordance with the service bulletin. If any incorrect wiring is detected, prior to further flight, repair it in accordance with the service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Modification
(b) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Modify and re-label the wiring of the left and right engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs, in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 26-3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199
[[Page 68062]]
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 24, 1999. D.L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31478Filed12-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
