04-23728. Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech 200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to revise AD 98-20-38, which applies to all Beech 200 series airplanes. AD 98-20-38 requires you to revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to specify procedures that would prohibit flight in severe icing conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or prohibit the use of various flight control devices while in severe icing conditions, and provide the flight crew with recognition cues for and procedures for exiting from severe icing conditions. Part of the applicability of AD 98-20-38 includes the Raytheon Models B200 and B200C airplanes. AD 96-09-13 already requires AFM revisions on this subject for these airplane models. Consequently, FAA is revising AD 98-20-38 to remove the Models B200 and B200C from the applicability and add clarification that AD 96-09-13 affects these airplanes. We are issuing this proposed AD to minimize the potential hazards associated with operating these airplanes in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations.

DATES:

We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by December 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed AD:

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001.
• Fax: [phone].
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

You may view the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Paul Pellicano, Aerospace Engineer (Icing Specialist), Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: [phone]: facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the docket number, “FAA-2004-19078; Directorate Identifier. 98-CE-17-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). This is docket number FAA-2004-19078. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is located on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

Has FAA taken any action to this point? A review of the requirements for certification of Raytheon Beech 200 series airplanes in icing conditions caused FAA to issue AD 98-20-38, Amendment 39-10806 (63 FR 51805, September 29, 1998). AD 98-20-38 requires you to revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to specify procedures that would prohibit flight in severe icing conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or prohibit the use of various flight control devices while in severe icing conditions, and provide the flight crew with recognition cues for and procedures for exiting from severe icing conditions.

What has happened since AD 98-20-38 to initiate this proposed action? Part of the applicability of AD 98-20-38 includes the Raytheon Models B200 and B200C airplanes. AD 96-09-13 already requires AFM revisions on this subject for these airplane models. The language is similar but is not the same and AD 96-09-13 reflects the preferred information. Consequently, FAA is revising AD 98-20-38 to remove the Models B200 and B200C from the applicability and add clarification that AD 96-09-13 affects these airplanes.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing AD action.

What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would revise AD 98-20-38 to remove the Beech Models B200 and B200C from the applicability. The Beech Models B200 and B200C are still affected by the actions of AD 96-09-13.

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,600 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/operators of the affected airplanes? The cost estimate of this AD is the same per airplane as AD 98-20-38. However, the proposed AD would affect fewer airplanes than AD 98-20-38.

Regulatory Findings

Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have 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.

Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed AD:

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); 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.

We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “Docket No. FAA-2004-19078; Directorate Identifier 98-CE-17-AD” in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)

98-20-38, Amendment 39-10806 (63 FR 51805, September 29, 1998), and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2004-19078; Directorate Identifier 98-CE-17-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD) by December 7, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

(b) This AD revises AD 98-20-38, Amendment 39-10806.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

(c) This AD affects the following airplane models, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category:

(1) Beech 200 (A100-1 (U-21J))

(2) Beech 200C

(3) Beech 200CT

(4) Beech 200T

(5) Beech A200 (C-12A) or (C-12C)

(6) Beech A200C (UC-12B)

(7) Beech A200CT (C-12D), (FWC-12D), (RC-12D), (C-12F), (RC-12G), (RC-12H), (RC-12K), or (RC-12P)

(8) B200CT

(9) B200T

Note 1:

The actions of AD 96-09-13 are required for the Beech Models B200 and B200C airplanes.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

(d) The actions specified in this AD are intended to minimize the potential hazards associated with operating these airplanes in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations.

What Must I Do to Address This Problem?

(e) Within 30 days after November 4, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-20-38), do the requirements of paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD, unless already accomplished.

Note 2:

Operators should initiate action to notify and ensure that flight crewmembers are apprised of this change.

(1) Revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating the following into the Limitations Section of the AFM. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

“WARNING

Severe icing may result from environmental conditions outside of those for which the airplane is certificated. Flight in freezing rain, freezing drizzle, or mixed icing conditions (supercooled liquid water and ice crystals) may result in ice build-up on protected surfaces exceeding the capability of the ice protection system, or may result in ice forming aft of the protected surfaces. This ice may not be shed using the ice protection systems, and may seriously degrade the performance and controllability of the airplane.

• During flight, severe icing conditions that exceed those for which the airplane is certificated shall be determined by the following visual cues. If one or more of these visual cues exists, immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the icing conditions.
• Unusually extensive ice accumulation on the airframe and windshield in areas not normally observed to collect ice.
• Accumulation of ice on the upper surface of the wing, aft of the protected area.
• Accumulation of ice on the engine nacelles and propeller spinners farther aft than normally observed.
• Since the autopilot, when installed and operating, may mask tactile cues that indicate adverse changes in handling characteristics, use of the autopilot is prohibited when any of the visual cues specified above exist, or when unusual lateral trim requirements or autopilot trim warnings are encountered while the airplane is in icing conditions.
• All wing icing inspection lights must be operative prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night. [Note: This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).]”

(2) Revise the FAA-approved AFM by incorporating the following into the Normal Procedures Section of the AFM. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

“THE FOLLOWING WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO SEVERE IN-FLIGHT ICING:

• Visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature.
• Droplets that splash or splatter on impact at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature.

PROCEDURES FOR EXITING THE SEVERE ICING ENVIRONMENT:

These procedures are applicable to all flight phases from takeoff to landing. Monitor the ambient air temperature. While severe icing may form at temperatures as cold as -18 degrees Celsius, increased vigilance is warranted at temperatures around freezing with visible moisture present. If the visual cues specified in the Limitations Section of the AFM for identifying severe icing conditions are observed, accomplish the following:

• Immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the severe icing conditions in order to avoid extended exposure to flight conditions more severe than those for which the airplane has been certificated.
• Avoid abrupt and excessive maneuvering that may exacerbate control difficulties.
• Do not engage the autopilot.
• If the autopilot is engaged, hold the control wheel firmly and disengage the autopilot.
• If an unusual roll response or uncommanded roll control movement is observed, reduce the angle-of-attack.
• Do not extend flaps when holding in icing conditions. Operation with flaps extended can result in a reduced wing angle-of-attack, with the possibility of ice forming on the upper surface further aft on the wing than normal, possibly aft of the protected area.
• If the flaps are extended, do not retract them until the airframe is clear of ice.
• Report these weather conditions to Air Traffic Control.”

(f) As an alternative method of compliance to the actions required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, revise the Abnormal Procedures Section or Emergency Procedures Section of the AFM instead of the Normal Procedures section of the AFM. Insert the information presented in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD into the applicable AFM section.

(g) The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may incorporate the AFM revisions required by this AD. Enter this information into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

(h) You may request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Mr. Paul Pellicano, Aerospace Engineer (Icing Specialist), Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

(i) You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility; US Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 15, 2004.

Dorenda D. Baker,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.