[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72130-72132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34385]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD; Amendment 39-10970; AD 99-01-03]
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) 97-14-
16, which applies to Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models 1900,
1900C, and 1900D airplanes. AD 97-14-16 currently requires repetitively
inspecting the outboard flap support roller bearings and flap
attachment brackets for indications of contact (wear), inspecting for
elongated holes in the flap attachment brackets, repairing or replacing
any part showing wear, and replacing any bracket with elongated holes.
AD 97-14-16 was the result of five incidents where the flap roller
bearings rubbed on the flap attachment brackets and resulted in aileron
interference. This AD retains the repetitive inspection requirement of
AD 97-14-16, but reduces the number of ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles
allowed between inspections and lowers the total number of accumulated
GAG cycles allowed before mandatory accomplishment of the initial
inspection. This AD also provides the option of replacing the outboard
flap roller bearings with parts of improved design as terminating
action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent asymmetric flaps, jammed flaps, and/
or possible interference between the flap and the aileron, which could
inhibit aileron travel and result in possible loss of roll control of
the airplane.
DATES: Effective February 8, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft Safety
Communique No. 137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997; and Raytheon
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, as
listed in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal
Register as of February 8, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft Temporary
Revision No. 57-1 to the Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series
Structural Repair Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16, 1997;
Reissued: June 30, 1992, as listed in the regulations, was previously
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 4, 1997
(62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997).
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-23-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 Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published
in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on
July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36864). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 97-14-16,
Amendment 39-10074 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997), which currently
requires repetitively inspecting the outboard flap support roller
bearings and flap attachment brackets for indications of contact
(wear), inspecting for elongated holes in the flap attachment brackets,
repairing or replacing any part showing wear, and replacing any bracket
with elongated holes.
The NPRM proposed to retain the same actions as AD 97-14-16, but
would reduce the number of ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles allowed
between inspections and would lower the total number of accumulated GAG
cycles allowed before mandatory accomplishment of the initial
inspection.
Accomplishment of the proposed inspections as specified in the NPRM
would be required in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 27-158, Issued: June, 1998. Accomplishment of the
proposed repairs as specified in the NPRM would be required in
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the
Raytheon Aircraft Beech
[[Page 72131]]
1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated
May 16, 1997; Reissued: June 30, 1992.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received from three different commenters.
Comment Disposition
One commenter supports the NPRM as written.
The other two commenters raise issues concerning the way the FAA
referenced the applicable service information in the NPRM. The
commenters' concerns are as follows:
--The FAA incorrectly referenced Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, as the document to use to
accomplish the inspections. The document that contains procedures to
accomplish the inspections is Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique No.
137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997.
--Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158 is
incorrectly referenced as ``Issued: June, 1998'' instead of ``Issued:
July, 1998''.
--Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued:
July, 1998, references replacing the outboard flap support roller
bearings. This should be an option available to the owners/operators of
the affected airplanes, instead of the repetitive inspections.
The FAA concurs with all of the above comments. The FAA will
develop this final rule to include Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique
No. 137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997, as the document to use to
accomplish the repetitive inspections. The FAA will also include the
option of replacing the outboard flap support roller bearings in
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-
3158, Issued: July, 1998, as terminating action for the repetitive
inspection requirement of the AD.
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 changes described above and minor editorial corrections. The FAA
has determined that these changes and minor 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 527 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
The following cost information is for those owners/operators of the
affected airplanes who choose to repetitively inspect the outboard flap
support roller bearings instead of replacing these bearings with parts
of improved design. It will take approximately 2 workhours per airplane
to accomplish the initial inspection at approximately $60 per workhour.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the initial inspection
is estimated to be $120 per airplane. Costs to repair the outboard flap
support roller bearings (if wear is found) would cost $920 per airplane
(8 workhours x $60 per hour + $440 parts cost). Only the initial
inspection and possible initial repair costs are calculated into these
figures. The FAA has no way of determining how many repetitive
inspections and repairs would be required on each affected airplane.
The following cost information is for those owners/operators of the
affected airplanes who choose to replace the outboard flap support
roller bearings with parts of improved design rather than repetitively
inspect these bearings. It will take approximately 3 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the replacement at approximately $60 per
workhour. Replacement outboard flap support roller bearings cost
approximately $1,140 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the replacement is estimated to be $1,320 per airplane.
Raytheon will give warranty credit for replacement outboard flap
support roller bearings until July 1999.
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) 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997), and by
adding a new AD to read as follows:
99-01-03 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
10970; Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD; Supersedes AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-
10074.
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-1, 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-322.
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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 (e) 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.
[[Page 72132]]
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
Note 2: Hours time-in-service (TIS) may be substituted for
ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles by multiplying the number of hours
TIS by 2. For example, 1,300 hours TIS would equal 2,600 GAG cycles.
To prevent asymmetric flaps, jammed flaps, and/or possible
interference between the flap and the aileron, which could inhibit
aileron travel and result in possible loss of roll control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Initially at whichever of the compliance times in paragraphs
(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD that occurs later, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 ground-air-ground (GAG)
cycles, inspect the outboard flap attachment brackets and roller
bearings on both wings for visible wear and elongation of the
bracket holes, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
section of Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique No. 137, Revision 1,
dated December, 1997.
(1) Upon accumulating 600 total GAG cycles;
(2) Within 600 GAG cycles from the date of the last inspection
required by AD 97-14-16; or
(3) Within the next 100 GAG cycles after the effective date of
this AD.
(b) Prior to further flight after any inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, repair or replace any worn or damaged part
in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to
the Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair
Manual P/N 114-590021-9B6, dated May 16, 1997; Reissued: June 30,
1992.
(c) As an alternative method of compliance to the repetitive
inspections and possible repairs or replacements required by
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, replace the outboard flap support
roller bearings with parts of improved design, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Aircraft
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998.
Replacement of the outboard flap roller bearings is considered
terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this
AD.
(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.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), Room 100, 1801 Airport Road, 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 for AD 97-14-16
(superseded by this AD) are not considered approved as alternative
methods of compliance for this AD.
(3) Replacing all outboard flap support roller bearings with
parts of improved design, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions section of Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin
SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, is approved as an alternative method
of compliance for this AD.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique No. 137,
Revision 1, dated December, 1997. The outboard flap support roller
bearing replacements (optional) required by this AD shall be
accomplished in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998. The repairs or replacements
of any worn or damaged parts required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the
Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair
Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16, 1997; Reissued: June 30,
1992.
(1) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft Safety
Communique No. 137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997; and Raytheon
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998,
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft
Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the Raytheon Aircraft Temporary
Revision No. 57-1 to the Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner
Series Structural Repair Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16,
1997; Reissued: June 30, 1992, was previously approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51 as of August 4, 1997 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997).
(3) Copies may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company,
9709 E. Central, 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.
(g) This amendment supersedes AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34385 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
