[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 112 (Friday, June 11, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31491-31493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14536]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-127-AD; Amendment 39-11191; AD 99-12-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900D
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) Model 1900D
airplanes. This AD requires replacing the passenger oxygen container
and mask assembly with an improved design passenger oxygen container
and mask assembly. This AD is the result of an incident where a
passenger had put on the oxygen mask and the lanyard pin did not
automatically pull and initiate oxygen flow during a loss of airplane
pressurization while in-flight. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent the above situation from occurring on other
airplanes, which could result in passenger injury if the lanyard pin is
not manually pulled in a timely manner.
DATES: Effective July 23, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 23, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 625-7043 or (316) 676-4556. 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-127-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.
[[Page 31492]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul C. DeVore, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316)
946-4142; 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 certain Raytheon
Model 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 1, 1999 (64 FR 9939). The NPRM
proposed to require replacing the existing passenger oxygen container
and mask assembly, part number (P/N) 129-384005-3, with an improved
design passenger oxygen container and mask assembly, P/N 129-384005-5.
Accomplishment of the proposed replacement as specified in the NPRM
would be accomplished by incorporating Puritan Bennett Kit No. 280041-
00: Lanyard Retrofit Drop Out Box, which contains all the necessary
parts and instructions.
The NPRM was the result of an incident where a passenger had put on
the oxygen mask and the lanyard pin did not automatically pull and
initiate oxygen flow during a loss of airplane pressurization while in-
flight.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of
the NPRM and no comments were received on 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.
Differences Between the Service Information and This AD
The compliance time presented in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 35-
3233, Issued: December, 1998, is ``as soon as possible after receipt of
this Service Bulletin, but no later than 600 hours after receipt of
this Service Bulletin.'' The FAA concurs that the action should be
accomplished as soon as possible, but has no way of enforcing this
compliance time. The FAA also assumes that what Raytheon means by ``600
hours after receipt of this Service Bulletin'' is 600 hours time-in-
service (TIS).
In order to assure that the replacement required by this AD is
accomplished within a reasonable period of time without inadvertently
grounding the affected airplanes, the FAA is utilizing a compliance
time of ``within the next 200 hours TIS after the effective date of
this AD''.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 300 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the replacement, and that the average labor rate
is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided at no cost to the
owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on the figures
presented above, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $72,000, or $240 per airplane.
Raytheon is also offering warranty credit for labor, as well as
parts, provided that all paperwork is submitted to the manufacturer no
later than December 31, 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 adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
99-12-07 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
11191; Docket No. 98-CE-127-AD.
Applicability: Model 1900D airplanes, serial numbers UE-1
through UE-338, 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 (d) 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 in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the oxygen mask lanyard pin to
automatically pull and initiate oxygen flow during a loss of
airplane pressurization while in-flight, which could result in
passenger injury if the lanyard pin is not manually pulled in a
timely manner, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 200 hours time-in-service after the
effective date of this AD, replace the passenger oxygen container
and mask assembly, part number 129-384005-3 (or FAA-approved
equivalent part number), with an improved design passenger oxygen
container and mask assembly, part number 129-384005-5 (or FAA-
approved equivalent part number). Accomplish this replacement by
incorporating Puritan-Bennett Kit No. 280041-00: Lanyard Retrofit
Drop Out Box, which contains all the necessary parts and
instructions. This kit is referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 35-3233, Issued: December, 1998.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any affected airplane, a passenger oxygen container and mask
assembly that is not of an improved design,
[[Page 31493]]
part number 129-384005-5 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number).
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Puritan-Bennett Kit No. 280041-00: Lanyard Retrofit
Drop Out Box, Revision A01, dated October 21, 1998, as referenced in
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 35-3233, Issued: December,
1998. 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 the Raytheon Aircraft
Corporation, 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 2, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-14536 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
