96-14989. Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation 90, 99, 100, 200, and 1900 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 29994-29996]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-14989]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 96-CE-11-AD]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation 90, 99, 100, 
    200, and 1900 Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
    
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    SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede AD 92-27-10, which 
    currently requires inspecting the pilot and copilot chairs to ensure 
    that the locking pins will fully engage in the seat tracks on certain 
    Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech) 90, 99, 100, 200, and 1900 series 
    airplanes, and modifying any chair where any locking pin fails to fully 
    engage or is misaligned. Reports of pilot and copilot chair locking pin 
    malfunctions prompted AD 92-27-10. Since issuance of that AD, the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that additional 
    airplanes should be affected by the pilot and copilot chair locking 
    pins inspection and modification (if required), and that the inspection 
    should be accomplished in accordance with revised procedures. The 
    proposed action would retain the inspection and modification 
    requirements of AD 92-27-10; incorporate additional airplanes into the 
    applicability over that included in AD 92-27-10; and require the 
    inspection in accordance with revised service information. The actions 
    specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent inadvertent 
    movement of the pilot or copilot chair, which could result in loss of 
    control of the airplane if it occurs during a critical flight maneuver.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
    Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-11-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
    12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
    this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
    holidays excepted.
        Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
    from the Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
    67201-0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket 
    at the address above.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steve 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:
    
    Comments Invited
    
        Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
    proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
    they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
    and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
    communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
    specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
    proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
    light of the comments received.
        Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
    economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
    comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
    date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
    persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
    with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
        Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
    submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
    stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
    to Docket No. 96-CE-11-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
    returned to the commenter.
    
    Availability of NPRMs
    
        Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
    to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
    Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-11-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
    Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    
    Discussion
    
        AD 92-27-10, Amendment 39-8444 (58 FR 5923, January 25, 1993), 
    currently requires the following on certain Beech Aircraft Corporation 
    (Beech) 90, 99, 100, 200, and 1900 series
    
    [[Page 29995]]
    
    airplanes: inspecting the pilot and copilot chairs to ensure that the 
    locking pins will fully engage in the seat tracks, and modifying any 
    chair where any locking pin fails to fully engage or is misaligned. 
    Accomplishment of the inspection required by AD 92-27-10 is in 
    accordance with Beech Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2444, Revision 1, dated 
    September 1992.
        Reports of pilot and copilot chair locking pin malfunctions, 
    including one instance where the pilot chair slid back from the full 
    forward position, prompted the FAA to issue AD 92-27-10. Since issuance 
    of that AD, the FAA has determined that additional airplanes should be 
    affected by the pilot and copilot chair locking pins inspection and 
    modification, and that the inspection should be accomplished in 
    accordance with revised procedures.
    
    Applicable Service Information
    
        The Beech Aircraft Corporation has revised SB No. 2444 to the 
    Revision II level (dated May 1995). The SB revision updates airplane 
    serial number effectivity, and incorporates an additional procedure to 
    Step 5 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section.
    
    Evaluation of All Applicable Information
    
        After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
    information related to the incidents described above, including the 
    referenced SB revision, the FAA has determined that AD action should be 
    taken to prevent inadvertent movement of the pilot or copilot chair, 
    which could result in loss of control of the airplane if it happens 
    during a critical flight maneuver.
    
    Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
    
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or develop in other Beech 90, 99, 100, 200, and 1900 series 
    airplanes of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 
    92-27-10 with a new AD that would (1) retain the requirement of 
    inspecting the pilot and copilot chairs to ensure that the locking pins 
    will fully engage in the seat tracks, and modifying any chair where any 
    locking pin fails to fully engage or is misaligned; (2) incorporate 
    additional airplanes into the applicability over that included in AD 
    92-27-10; and (3) require the inspection in accordance with Beech SB 
    No. 2444, Revision II, dated May 1995.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 4,971 airplanes in the U.S. registry would 
    be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
    workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that 
    the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. No parts are 
    required to accomplish the proposed action. Based on these figures, the 
    total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
    be $298,260. This figure only takes into account the cost of the 
    inspection and does not take into account the cost of modifying any 
    pilot or copilot seat where the locking mechanism fails to fully engage 
    or is misaligned. If a pilot or copilot seat fails to fully engage or 
    is misaligned, the modification would take approximately 2 workhours 
    per airplane at an average labor rate of $60 per hour ($120 per 
    airplane).
    
    Regulatory Impact
    
        The regulations proposed herein would 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 
    proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
    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 draft regulatory evaluation 
    prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
    
    The Proposed Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
    CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
    
    PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13   [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive 
    (AD) 92-27-10, Amendment 39-8444 (58 FR 5923, January 25, 1993), and by 
    adding a new AD to read as follows:
    
    Beech Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 96-CE-11-AD. Supersedes AD 
    92-27-10, Amendment 39-8444.
    
        Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
    certificated in any category:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Models                             Serial No.               
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    65-90, 65-A90, B90, C90, and   LJ-1 through LJ-1307.                    
     C90A.                                                                  
    65-A90-1 (U-21A).............  LM-1 through LM-63, LM-65, LM-67 through 
                                    LM-69, LM-71 through LM-99, and LM- 112 
                                    through LM-114.                         
    65-A90-1 (JU-21A)............  LM-64, LM-66, and LM-70.                 
    65-A90-1 (RU-21D)............  LM-100, LM-102 through LM-106, and LM-116
                                    through LM-124.                         
    65-A90-1 (RU-21H)............  LM-101 LM-107, LM-115, LM-125, LM-127, LM-
                                    128, LM-129, LM-132, LM-133, LM- 136, LM-
                                    137, and LM-138.                        
    65-A90-1 (RU-21A)............  LM-108 through LM-111.                   
    65-A90-1 (U-21G).............  LM-126, LM-130, LM-131, LM- 134, LM-135, 
                                    and LM-139 through LM-141.              
    65-A90-2 (RU-21B)............  LS-1, LS-2, and LS-3.                    
    65-A90-3 (RU-21C)............  LT-1 and LT-2.                           
    65-A90-4 (RU-21E)............  LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-8, and LU-14. 
    65-A90-4 (RU-21H)............  LU-2, LU-5, LU-6, LU-9, LU-10 through LU-
                                    13, and LU-15.                          
    E90..........................  LW-1 through LW-347.                     
    H90 (T-44A)..................  LL-1 through LL-61.                      
    F90..........................  LA-2 through LA-236.                     
    
    [[Page 29996]]
    
                                                                            
    99, 99A, A99A, B99, and C99..  U-1 through U-239.                       
    100 and A100.................  B-1 through B-94 and B-100 through B-247.
    A100 (U-21F).................  B-95 through B-99.                       
    A100-1 (U-21J)...............  BB-3, BB-4, and BB-5.                    
    B100.........................  BE-1 through BE-137.                     
    200 and B200.................  BB-2 and BB-6 through BB-1440.           
    200C and B200C...............  BL-1 through BL-72 and BL-124 through BL-
                                    137.                                    
    200CT and B200CT.............  BN-1 through BN-4.                       
    200T and B200T...............  BT-1 through BT-34.                      
    A200 (C-12A, C-12C)..........  BD-1 through BD-30, and BC-1 through BC- 
                                    75.                                     
    A200 (UC-12B)................  BJ-1 through BJ-66.                      
    A200CT (C-12D)...............  BP-1, BP-22, and BP-24 through BP-51.    
    A200CT(FWD-12D)..............  BP-7 through BP-11.                      
    A200CT (RC-12D)..............  GR-1 through GR-13.                      
    A200CT (C-12F)...............  BP-52 through BP-63.                     
    A200CT (RC-12G)..............  FC-1, FC-2, and FC-3.                    
    A200CT (RC-12H)..............  GR-14 through GR-19.                     
    A200CT (RC-12K)..............  FE-1 through FE-23.                      
    B200C (C-12F)................  BL-73 through BL-112, and BL-118 through 
                                    BL-123.                                 
    B200C (UC-12F)...............  BU-1 through BU-10.                      
    B200C (RC-12F)...............  BU-11 and BU-12.                         
    B200C (UC-12M)...............  BV-1 through BV-10.                      
    B200C (RC-12M)...............  BV-11 and BV-12.                         
    B200CT (FWD-12D).............  FG-1 and FG-2.                           
    B200CT (C-12F)...............  BP-64 through BP-71.                     
    1900.........................  UA-1, UA-2, and UA-3.                    
    1900C........................  UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1 through UC- 
                                    174.                                    
    1900C (C-12).................  UD-1 through UD-6.                       
    1900D........................  UE-1 through UE-17.                      
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    
        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 within the next 150 hours time-in-
    service after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
    accomplished.
    
        To prevent inadvertent movement of the pilot or copilot chair, 
    which could result in loss of control of the airplane if it occurs 
    during a critical flight maneuver, accomplish the following:
        (a) Inspect the pilot and copilot chairs to ensure that the 
    locking pins will fully engage in the seat tracks in accordance with 
    the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Beech Service Bulletin 
    (SB) No. 2444, Revision II, dated May 1995. Prior to further flight, 
    modify any chair where any locking pin fails to fully engage or is 
    misaligned in accordance with the maintenance manual as specified in 
    Beech SB No. 2444, Revision II, dated May 1995.
        (b) The inspection and modification required by paragraph (a) of 
    this AD are still mandatory even if the actions were previously 
    accomplished in accordance with Beech SB No. 2444, dated April 1992, 
    or Beech SB No. 2444, Revision I, dated September 1992.
        (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. Alternative methods of compliance approved 
    in accordance with AD 92-27-10 (superseded by this action) are not 
    considered approved as alternative methods of compliance with this 
    AD.
        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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
    the document referred to herein upon request to the Beech Aircraft 
    Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine 
    this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
    Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 
    64106.
        (f) This amendment supersedes AD 92-27-10, Amendment 39-8444.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 4, 1996.
    Henry A. Armstrong,
    Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-14989 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/13/1996
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
96-14989
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1996.
Pages:
29994-29996 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 96-CE-11-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
96-14989.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13