03-12843. Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Beech 400A and 400T Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Raytheon Model Beech 400A and 400T series airplanes, that requires replacement of the low-pressure oxygen tubing located in the forward fuselage (nose avionics bay), lower forward flight deck, and lower forward cabin areas, as applicable, with new low-pressure oxygen tubing. This action is necessary to prevent leakage of oxygen from scored low-pressure oxygen tubing, which could result in lack of available oxygen for the flightcrew, or possible explosion or fire. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective July 1, 2003.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Department 62, 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, 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:

David Ostrodka, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Services Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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 Model Beech 400A and 400T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2003 (68 FR 8563). That action proposed to require replacement of the low-pressure oxygen tubing located in the forward fuselage (nose avionics bay), lower forward flight deck, and lower forward cabin areas, as applicable, with new low-pressure oxygen tubing.

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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the language of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding that material.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 34 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 27 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 25 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,052 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $68,904, or $2,552 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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2003-10-13 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 39-13158. Docket 2001-NM-335-AD.

Applicability: Model Beech 400A series airplanes, serial numbers RK-232 through RK-265 inclusive; and Model Beech 400T series airplane having serial number TX-10; 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 leakage of oxygen from scored low-pressure oxygen tubing, which could result in lack of available oxygen for the flightcrew, possible explosion, or fire, accomplish the following:

Replacement of Oxygen Tubing

(a) For Model 400A series airplanes: Within 200 flight hours or 1 year from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the low-pressure oxygen tubing located in the forward fuselage (nose avionics bay), lower forward flight deck, and lower forward cabin areas, as applicable, with new low-pressure oxygen tubing, per Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions specified in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 35-3406, dated March 2001.

(b) For Model 400T series airplanes: Within 200 flight hours or 1 year from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the low-pressure oxygen tubing located in the forward fuselage (nose avionics bay), lower forward flight deck, and lower forward cabin areas, as applicable, with new low-pressure oxygen tubing, per Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions specified in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 35-3406, dated March 2001.

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. 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 35-3406, dated March 2001. 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, Department 62, 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, 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.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 1, 2003.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2003.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.