99-25765. Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 54517-54518]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-25765]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD; Amendment 39-11351; AD 99-21-08]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A airplanes, that 
    requires replacement of the fuel drain tube assembly in the aft 
    fuselage with a new, modified assembly. This amendment is prompted by a 
    report of chafing of the fuel tube assembly against the elevator 
    control cable due to inadequate clearance between the components. The 
    actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing of the 
    fuel drain tube assembly, which could result in fuel leakage from the 
    fuel drain tube assembly and consequent risk of a fire.
    
    DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of November 12, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering, 
    Hawker Customer Support Department, P. O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
    67201-0085. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
    1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small 
    Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 
    Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at 
    the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott West, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane 
    Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
    Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
    946-4146; fax (316) 946-4407.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 
    400A airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1999 
    (64 FR 43314). That action proposed to require replacement of the fuel 
    drain tube assembly in the aft fuselage with a new, modified assembly.
    
    Comments
    
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
    to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    
    Conclusion
    
        The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
    require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        There are approximately 92 airplanes of the affected design in the 
    worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 72 airplanes of U.S. registry 
    will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work 
    hours per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the 
    average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
    approximately $21 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
    of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $36,072, or 
    $501 per airplane.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
    action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
    future if this AD were not adopted.
    
    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.
    
    [[Page 54518]]
    
        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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from 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 adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    99-21-08  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 39-
    11351. Docket 98-NM-280-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-1 through 
    RK-92 inclusive, certificated in any category.
    
        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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent chafing of the fuel drain tube assembly, which could 
    result in fuel leakage from the fuel drain tube assembly and 
    consequent risk of fire, accomplish the following:
    
    Replacement
    
        (a) At the next scheduled inspection, but no later than 200 
    flight hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
    existing aft fuselage fuel drain tube assembly, part number (P/N) 
    128-920151-1, with a new, modified tube assembly, P/N 128-920237-1, 
    in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB.28-3076, 
    dated October, 1997.
    
    Spares
    
        (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
    a fuel drain tube assembly, P/N 128-920151-1, on any airplane.
    
    Alternative Methods of Compliance
    
        (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
    used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
    Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
    submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
    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.
    
    Special Flight Permits
    
        (d) 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.
    
    Incorporation by Reference
    
        (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Raytheon 
    Aircraft Service Bulletin SB.28-3076, dated October, 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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager 
    Service Engineering, Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 
    85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
    Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
    Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita 
    Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
    Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 1999.
    D.L. Riggin,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 99-25765 Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/12/1999
Published:
10/07/1999
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-25765
Dates:
Effective November 12, 1999.
Pages:
54517-54518 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD, Amendment 39-11351, AD 99-21-08
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
99-25765.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13