Airworthiness directives: Raytheon,
[Federal Register: October 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 200)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 55560-55562]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16oc98-28]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-66-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. The proposed AD would require inspecting the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether a certain Frisby Aerospace actuator is installed, and reworking or replacing any of these Frisby Aerospace actuators. The proposed AD is the result of reports of fatigue cracks in the end cap of main landing gear hydraulic actuators manufactured by Frisby Aerospace and installed on the affected airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the main landing gear from not locking down due to the hydraulic actuator cracking and separating, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing, taxi, or ground operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 17, 1998.
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ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-66-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed 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 also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul C. DeVore, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4142; facsimile: (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 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, 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 that summarizes 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 No. 98-CE-66-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-66-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of fatigue cracks in the end cap of main landing gear hydraulic actuators manufactured by Frisby Aerospace and installed on certain Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. These actuators, part number (P/N) 114-380041-11 and P/N 114-380041-13, have a sharp internal corner in the machined-end cap. The repetitive loads that are experienced in this area cause these fatigue cracks to form inside the actuator.
These fatigue cracks, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could continue to grow until the actuator separated and the main landing gear would not lock down. This would result in loss of control of the airplane during landing, taxi, or ground operations.
Relevant Service Information
Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998, which specifies procedures for inspecting the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether any Frisby Aerospace P/N 114-380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13 main landing gear hydraulic actuator is installed. This service bulletin also specifies removing and either replacing or reworking the above-referenced Frisby Aerospace main landing gear hydraulic actuators. The procedures for the removal and replacement are included in the applicable maintenance manual. The procedures for the rework are included in Frisby Aerospace Service Bulletin 1FA10043, dated October 1997.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent the main landing gear from not locking down due to the hydraulic actuator cracking and separating, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing, taxi, or ground operations.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes of the same type design, the FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether any Frisby Aerospace actuator, P/N 114- 380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13, is installed, and reworking or replacing any of these Frisby Aerospace actuators.
Accomplishment of the proposed inspection would be required in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. Accomplishment of the proposed removal and replacement would be required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. Accomplishment of the proposed rework would be required in accordance with Frisby Aerospace Service Bulletin 1FA10043, dated October 1997.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 378 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,680, or $60 per airplane.
If any of the affected airplanes would have any of the affected Frisby Aerospace main landing gear hydraulic actuators installed, it would take approximately 5 workhours per actuator to accomplish the proposed replacement and an additional 4 workhours per actuator to accomplish the proposed rework. The average labor rate is approximately $60 per hour. Parts would cost $3,871 for each new actuator; $2865 for each overhauled actuator; and $1,997 for each rework/upgrade kit. Based on these figures, the cost impact on those operators choosing the proposed replacement of the main landing gear hydraulic actuators would be approximately $8,342 per airplane that would have two new actuators installed, or $6,330 per airplane that would have two overhauled actuators installed; and the cost impact on those operators choosing to incorporate the main landing gear hydraulic actuator rework/upgrade kit on each actuator would be approximately $5,074 per airplane. Raytheon will give warranty credit for a replacement actuator until January 2001.
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
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proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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) 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 has been placed 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
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:
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. 98-CE-66-AD.
Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, certificated in any category:
Model
Serial Nos.
1900.................................. UA-2 and UA-3. 1900C................................. UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1 through UC-174. 1900C (C-12J)......................... UD-1 through UD-6. 1900D................................. UE-1 through UE-299.
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 (d) 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: Inspection required as indicated below, unless already accomplished; and replacement or rework, if required, would be prior to further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (a) of this AD, unless already accomplished:
Hours time-in-service (TIS) accumulated on the main
landing gear hydraulic
Inspection compliance time actuator
Less Than 6,000 hours TIS.... Upon accumulating 6,600 hours TIS on the actuator or within the next 600 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. 6,000 hours TIS through 6,999 Within the next 600 hours TIS after the hours TIS.
effective date of this AD. 7,000 hours TIS through 7,999 Within the next 500 hours TIS after the hours TIS.
effective date of this AD. 8,000 hours TIS through 8,999 Within the next 400 hours TIS after the hours TIS.
effective date of this AD. 9,000 hours TIS through 9,999 Within the next 300 hours TIS after the hours TIS.
effective date of this AD. 10,000 Hours TIS or more..... Within the next 200 Hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
To prevent the main landing gear from not locking down due to the hydraulic actuator cracking and separating, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing, taxi, or ground operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether any Frisby Aerospace actuator, P/N 114-380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13, is installed. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998.
(b) If any Frisby Aerospace actuator, P/N 114-380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13, is installed, prior to further flight, remove it and accomplish one of the following:
(1) Replace the Frisby Aerospace actuator with one of a part number listed in the Material Information section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual; or
(2) Rework the Frisby Aerospace actuator by incorporating the kit referenced in the Material Information section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. Accomplish this rework in accordance with Frisby Aerospace Service Bulletin 1FA10043, dated October 1997.
(c) 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times 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 Wichita ACO.
(e) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the documents referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 8, 1998. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27761Filed10-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
