Airworthiness directives: Raytheon,

[Federal Register: February 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 24)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 5710-5711]

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

[DOCID:fr05fe99-2]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD; Amendment 39-11024; AD 99-03-11]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Model 60 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Model 60 airplanes. This AD requires modifying the aircraft cabin heat control wiring. This AD is the result of an incident on one of the affected airplanes where the circuit control that operates the aircraft cabin heater overheated and caused the cabin heater to shut down during in- flight operation. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent this circuit from overheating because of the current wiring design, which could result in possible smoke/fire if the heating system continued to operate in an ``over-temperature'' condition.

DATES: Effective: March 4, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 4, 1999.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before April 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 625-7043 or (316) 676-4556. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98- CE-126-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 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: Mr. Todd Dixon, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid- Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA has received a report of the aircraft cabin heater shutting down on a Raytheon Beech Model 60 airplane during in-flight operation. Raytheon incorporated a design change to the cabin heater circuit on the following airplanes: serial numbers P-159, and P-166 through P-596. A reconfiguration of the circuit protection that wires the 5-amp fuses in parallel instead of in series was part of this design change. Investigation of the above-referenced incident reveals that the incident airplane incorporated the design change and that the parallel- wired fuses caused the electrical resistor to overheat and eventually caused the heater system to shut down.

However, prior to shutting down, the heater system can operate in an ``over-temperature'' condition where it is possible for smoke or fire to occur due to the wiring and the resistor overheating.

Relevant Service Information

Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: December, 1998, which specifies procedures for modifying the aircraft cabin heat control wiring.

The FAA's Determination

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the relevant service information, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent the above-referenced condition from occurring.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other Raytheon Beech Model 60 airplanes of the same type design, the FAA is issuing an AD. This AD requires modifying the aircraft cabin heat control wiring in accordance with the

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instructions in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: December, 1998.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should 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 will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the 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 that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to 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.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

   99-03-11 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A12CE previously held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39- 11024; Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD.

   Applicability: Beech Model 60 airplanes, serial numbers P-159, and P166 through P-596; 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 within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

   To prevent the circuit that operates the aircraft cabin heater from overheating because of the current wiring design, which could result in possible smoke/fire if the heating system continued to operate in an ``over-temperature'' condition, accomplish the following:

   (a) Modify the aircraft cabin heat control wiring in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: December, 1998.

   (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 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.

   (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

   Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.

   (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: December, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

   (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1999.

   Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 29, 1999. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-2633Filed2-4-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P