[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4206-4208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2106]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly
Beech Aircraft Corporation) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon)
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes). The proposed AD would require
installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch
housing mechanisms. The proposed AD results from reports of the
airstair door
[[Page 4207]]
not opening because the door was frozen shut. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent moisture from accumulating and
freezing in the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could
result in the door freezing shut and passengers not being able to
evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-60-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, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the
address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Safety
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4124; 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 filed in 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. 96-CE-60-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 Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received numerous reports of the airstair door not
opening because the door was frozen shut on Raytheon Models 1900,
1900C, and 1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models 1900,
1900C, and 1900D airplanes). Under the current configuration of these
airplanes, moisture accumulates and freezes in the airstair door handle
and latch housings, resulting in the door freezing shut. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in passengers
not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation.
Applicable Service Information
Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated
July, 1996, which includes procedures for installing lubrication
fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms on
certain Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action
should be taken to prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in
the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the
door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the
airplane in an emergency situation.
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 proposed AD would require
installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch
housing mechanisms. Accomplishment of the proposed installation would
be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572,
dated July, 1996.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 408 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, and
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $50 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $363,120
or $890 per airplane. This figure is based on the presumption that no
owner/operator of the affected airplanes has accomplished the proposed
installation.
Raytheon has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to
equip approximately 36 of the affected airplanes. Presuming that each
set of parts has been incorporated on one of the affected airplanes,
the cost impact of the proposed AD upon U.S. operators of the affected
airplanes would be reduced $32,040 from $363,120 to $331,080.
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 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
[[Page 4208]]
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 (formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation):
Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD.
Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers,
certificated in any category:
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Model Serial Nos.
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1900................................. UA-1 through UA-3.
1900C................................ UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1
through UC-174.
1900D................................ UE-1 through UE-157.
1900D (C-12J)........................ UD-1 through UD-6.
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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 200 hours time-in-service
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in the
airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the
door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the
airplane in an emergency situation, accomplish the following:
(a) Install lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and
latch housing mechanisms in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
INSTRUCTIONS section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
2572, dated July, 1996.
(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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the documents referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon
Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may
examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 21, 1997.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2106 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
