2016-00951. Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Beechcraft Corporation Model BAe.125 series 1000A and 1000B airplanes and Model Hawker 1000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust even though the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. This proposed AD would require installing kits that include relays, associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail annunciator. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to occupants.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view this referenced service information at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey Englert, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-078-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

We have received reports of inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust even though the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. These reports were on another type of airplane that utilizes a similar engine and thrust reverser system. The root cause is incorrect software logic within the engine's electronic control unit. This condition, if not corrected, could result in inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff or during landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to occupants.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015. The service information describes procedures for installing kits having part numbers 140-9005 and 140-9006, which include relays, associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail annunciator. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously, except as discussed under “Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information.”

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

Although Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015, specifies that “Should any difficulty be encountered in accomplishing this Service Bulletin, contact Beechcraft Corporation,” this proposed AD would require operators to resolve difficulties in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Installation	340 work-hours × $85 per hour = $28,900	$100,000	$128,900	$4,898,200

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: “General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company): Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-078-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by March 7, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Beechcraft Corporation (type certificate previously held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.

(1) Model BAe.125 series 1000A and 1000B airplanes, serial numbers 258151, 258159, and 259004 through 259042 inclusive.

(2) Model Hawker 1000 airplanes, serial numbers 259003 and 259043 through 259052 inclusive.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Exhaust.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust even though the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Installation

Within 600 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Install kits having part numbers 140-9005 and 140-9006, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015, except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Exception to Service Information

A note in the Accomplishment Instructions of Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015, instructs operators to contact Beechcraft Corporation if any difficulty is encountered in accomplishing the service bulletin. However, any deviation from the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD must be approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(j) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Englert, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view this referenced service information at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 8, 2016.

Jeffrey E. Duven,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.