[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55327-55328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27121]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-22-AD; Amendment 39-10829; AD 98-21-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900,
1900C, and 1900D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-04-
02, which currently requires installing new exterior placards with
operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency
exits, as applicable, on certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon)
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. This AD requires either
modifying the existing exterior placards with door operating
instructions installed in accordance with AD 97-04-02; or installing
new exterior placards with operating instructions for the airstair
door, cargo door, and emergency exits, as applicable. This AD results
from reports of the placards (required by AD 97-04-02) covering the
atmospheric vents for the cabin door differential pressure lock. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to continue to assure that
clear and complete operating instructions are visible for opening the
airstair door, cargo door, or emergency exits, and to prevent improper
operation of the cabin door differential pressure lock caused by the
placards blocking the atmospheric vents.
DATES: Effective November 20, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. 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-22-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. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316)
946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Raytheon
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 27, 1998
(63 FR 20543). The NPRM proposed to require either modifying the
existing exterior placards with operating instructions installed in
accordance with AD 97-04-02; or installing new exterior placards with
operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency
exits, as applicable. Accomplishment of the proposed action as
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. 2741, Rev. 1, Issued: February, 1997; Revised:
May, 1997.
The NPRM was the result of reports of the placards (required by AD
97-04-02) covering the atmospheric vents for the cabin door
differential pressure lock.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Comment Disposition
One commenter recommends that an additional method of compliance be
added to the proposal. The commenter states that the actions of AD 97-
04-02 have already been accomplished on the commenter's fleet of
aircraft. In addition to these actions, the modification of the
placards that is proposed in this action was accomplished in accordance
with the instructions in Beechcraft message No. 52-0506, dated February
21, 1997. These instructions basically incorporate the same information
included in the modification instructions in Raytheon Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 2741, Rev.1, dated May, 1997.
The FAA concurs and will give alternative method of compliance
credit in the AD for accomplishing the action in accordance with
Beechcraft message No. 52-0506, dated February 21, 1997, in conjunction
with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2741, dated February,
1997.
Another commenter agrees with the intent of the AD, but feels that
the FAA should have issued an urgent safety of flight AD through the
use of a ``final rule; request for comments.''
[[Page 55328]]
After examining all the information related to the subject of this
AD, the FAA did not feel it had sufficient justification for issuing an
urgent safety of flight AD. No changes to the final rule are necessary.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
the addition of the alternative method of compliance previously
discussed and minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that
this addition and the minor editorial corrections will not change the
meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the
public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 524 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $3 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $33,012, or $63 per airplane.
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.
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) 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 final 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, 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 removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 97-04-02, Amendment 39-9937, and by adding a new AD to read as
follows:
98-21-20 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
10829; Docket No. 98-CE-22-AD; Supersedes AD 97-04-02, Amendment 39-
9937.
Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,
certificated in any category:
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Model Serial numbers
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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-268.
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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 (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: Required within the next 200 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To continue to assure that clear and complete operating
instructions are visible for opening the airstair door, cargo door,
or emergency exits, and to prevent improper operation of the cabin
door differential pressure lock caused by the placards blocking the
atmospheric vents, accomplish the following:
(a) Accomplish one of the following in accordance with
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Raytheon Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 2741, Rev. 1, dated May, 1997:
(1) Modify the existing exterior placards with operating
instructions installed in accordance with AD 97-04-02 (superseded by
this AD); or
(2) Remove any existing operating instructions placards and
install new exterior placards with operating instructions for the
airstair door, cargo door, and emergency exits, as applicable.
(b) Installing placards in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. 2741, dated February, 1997, and then modifying
these placards in accordance with Beechcraft message No. 52-0506,
dated February 21, 1997, is considered an alternative method of
compliance to the requirements of paragraphs (a), (a)(1), and (a)(2)
of this AD.
(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 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.
(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Wichita ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance
with AD 97-04-02 are considered approved as alternative methods of
compliance for this AD.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(e) The modifications, removal, and installations required by
this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 2741, Rev. 1, dated May, 1997. 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 67201-0085. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 1, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27121 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
