[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26714-26716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12507]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD; Amendment 39-10516; AD 98-10-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models B200,
B200C, and B200T Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models B200,
B200C, and B200T airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models B200,
B200C, and B200T airplanes). This AD requires replacing the wiring for
the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring. This AD is
the result of the discovery during aircraft production of the potential
for the existing engine fire detector system wiring on the affected
airplanes to fail because of high heat and/or fire. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the engine fire
detector system if high heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal
between the engine fire detectors and the engine fire warning
annunciator lights located in the cockpit, which could result in
passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire.
DATES: Effective June 27, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 27, 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. 97-CE-72-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. Randy Griffith, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316)
946-4145; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
[[Page 26715]]
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 B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 3, 1997
(62 FR 63914). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the wiring for
the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring by
incorporating Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be
in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701,
Issued: May, 1997.
The NPRM was the result of the discovery during aircraft production
of the potential for the existing engine fire detector system wiring on
the affected airplanes to fail because of high heat and/or fire.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
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
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these 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 77 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the modification required by this AD, and that
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the owners/operators of the
affected airplanes. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $18,480, or $240 per
airplane. These figures are based on the presumption that no owner/
operator of the affected airplanes has incorporated this modification.
Raytheon has informed the FAA that approximately 40 kits have been
shipped from the Raytheon Aircraft Authorized Service Center. Presuming
that each of the 40 kits is incorporated on an affected airplane, this
will reduce the cost impact of this AD by $9,600, from $18,480, to
$8,880.
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 adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-10-05 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10516; Docket No.
97-CE-72-AD.
Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,
certificated in any category:
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Model Serial Nos.
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B200................................... BB-1439, BB-1444 through BB-
1447, BB-1449, BB-1450, BB-
1452, BB-1453, BB-1455, BB-
1456, and BB-1458 through BB-
1512;
B200C.................................. BL-139 and BL-140;
B200C (C-12R).......................... BW-1 through BW-5; and
B200T.................................. BT-35 through BT-38.
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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
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent failure of the engine fire detector system if high
heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal between the engine
fire detectors and the engine fire warning annunciator lights
located in the cockpit, which could result in passenger injury in
the event of an airplane fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the existing engine fire protection system wiring
with fire resistant wiring by incorporating Engine Fire Detector
Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1. Accomplish this replacement in
accordance with the instructions included with the above kit, as
referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, Issued:
May, 1997.
(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) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with the instructions to Raytheon Engine Fire Detector
[[Page 26716]]
Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1, as referenced in Raytheon
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, Issued: 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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 27, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 30, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12507 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
