[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 142 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39787-39789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19471]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-274-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model DH.125-400A; BH.125-400A
and -600A, HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and Hawker 800 and
Hawker 800 XP Series Airplanes Including Military Variants
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon Model DH.125-
400A; BH.125-400A and -600A; HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and
Hawker 800, and Hawker 800 XP series airplanes including military
variants (C29A, U125, U125A). This proposal would require a one-time
inspection to determine if certain high pressure oxygen hose assemblies
are installed, and, if installed, replacement of those hose assemblies
with new, improved hose assemblies. This proposal is prompted by a
report that certain high pressure oxygen hose assemblies are
susceptible to leakage due to those hose assemblies not meeting design
specifications during manufacturing. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent leaks in high pressure oxygen hose
assemblies, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in
insufficient oxygen available to the passengers or crew if the cabin
pressure altitude should rise to a level requiring emergency oxygen.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-274-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering,
Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Imbler, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-115W, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4147; fax (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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 96-NM-274-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-274-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating that certain high pressure
oxygen hose assemblies installed on Raytheon Model DH.125-400A; BH.125-
400A and -600A; HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and Hawker 800 and
Hawker 800 XP series airplanes including military variants (C29A,
[[Page 39788]]
U125, U125A) are susceptible to leakage. The cause of such leakage has
been attributed to a discrepant batch of Kidde-Graviner hose assemblies
that have a limited in-service life. These hose assemblies, if not
removed and replaced in a timely manner, could leak and result in
insufficient oxygen quantity available for the passengers or crew if
the cabin pressure altitude should rise to a level requiring emergency
oxygen.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Raytheon has issued Service Bulletin SB.35-46, dated September 30,
1996, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection to determine
whether any high pressure oxygen hose assemblies having part number WKA
34609 are installed, and replacement of these hose assemblies with new,
improved oxygen hose assemblies that meet the design specification.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require a one-time
inspection to determine whether certain oxygen hose assemblies, and
replacement of discrepant hose assemblies with new, improved hose
assemblies. The inspection and replacement would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 404 Raytheon Model DH.125-400A; BH.125-400A
and -600A, HS.125-600A and -700A; BAe 125-800A; and Hawker 800 and
Hawker 800 XP series airplanes including military variants of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the initial inspection
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $24,240, or
$60 per airplane.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the proposed
replacement, it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at
no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the replacement proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $24,240, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted.
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 proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech, Raytheon Corporate Jets,
British Aerospace, Hawker Siddeley, et al.): Docket 96-NM-274-AD.
Applicability: All Model DH.125-400A, BH.125-400A and -600A,
HS.125-600A and -700A, and BAe 125-800A series airplanes; and Model
Hawker 800 and Hawker 800 XP series airplanes (including Military
Variants C29A, U125, and U125A airplanes) having serial numbers 1
through 258294 inclusive; on which Modification 252036 has been
installed with a high pressure oxygen hose assembly having part
number WKA 34609; 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.
Note 2: Raytheon (Beech) Model DH.125-400B; BH.125-400B and -
600B, S. 125-600B and -700B, and BAe 125-800B series airplanes are
similar in design to the airplanes that are subject to the
requirements of this AD, and therefore, also may be subject to the
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. However, as of the effective
date of this AD, those models are not type certificated for
operation in the United States. Airworthiness authorities of
countries in which those models are approved for operation should
consider adopting corrective action, applicable to these models,
that is similar to the corrective action required by this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent leaks in high pressure oxygen hose assemblies, which
could result in insufficient oxygen quantity available to the
passengers or crew if the cabin pressure altitude should rise to a
level requiring emergency oxygen, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time inspection to determine whether any high pressure oxygen
hose assembly having a discrepant part number WKA 34609 is
installed, in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.35-46,
dated September 30, 1996. If no discrepant part number is detected,
no further action is required by this AD. If any hose assembly
having discrepant part number WKA 34609 is installed, prior to
further flight, replace the hose assembly with a hose assembly
having part number 58179-101 in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
high pressure oxygen
[[Page 39789]]
hose having part number WKA 34609 on any airplane.
(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, Small Airplane Directorate. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1997.
Gary L. Killion,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19471 Filed 7-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
