[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 131 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35695-35696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17296]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (formerly
Beech Aircraft Corporation) Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Corporation
(Raytheon) Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000 airplanes. The proposed action
would require inspecting (one-time) the fuel filter assemblies to
detect any bypass valve that is glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued
shut, the proposal would require replacing the associated fuel filter
assembly. Three in-flight occurrences where the low fuel pressure light
illuminated prompted the proposed action. In each of the instances, a
bypass valve on the affected engine was glued shut with anaerobic
thread lock adhesive and when the fuel filter became clogged, proper
fuel flow to the engine was not obtained. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent lack of fuel to the engine and
eventual engine shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a
contaminated fuel filter by-pass valve.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 6, 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-30-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 Raytheon 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. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Safety
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4146; 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-30-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-30-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received three reports of in-flight occurrences
involving Ratheon Model 1900 D airplanes, where the low fuel pressure
light illuminated. Fortunately, the airplane landed safely in these
incidents. In each of the instances, a bypass valve on the affected
engine was glued shut with anaerobic thread lock adhesive and when the
fuel filter became clogged, proper fuel flow to the engine was not
obtained. Further investigation has revealed that some fuel filter
assemblies were contaminated with anaerobic thread lock adhesive during
the manufacturing process.
Raytheon reports that the following airplane models and serial
numbers could have fuel filter assemblies contaminated with anaerobic
thread lock adhesive:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Models Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900C..................................... UC-1 through UC-174
1900C (C-12J)............................. UD-1 through UD-6
1900D..................................... UE-1 through UE-205
2000...................................... NC-4 through NC-53
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raytheon has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2677 (for Model
2000), dated March, 1996; and Beechcraft SB No. 2678 (for Models 1900C
and 1900D), dated May, 1996. These service bulletins specify procedures
for (1) inspecting the fuel filter assemblies to detect any bypass
valves glued shut; and (2) replacing the fuel filter assembly.
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action
should be taken to prevent lack of fuel to the engine and eventual
engine shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a contaminated fuel
filter by-pass valve.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Raytheon Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000
airplanes of the same type design that were manufactured during the
period when the fuel filter assembly bypass valves were susceptible to
anaerobic thread lock adhesive contamination, the FAA is proposing AD
action. The proposed AD would require inspecting (one-time) the fuel
filter assemblies to detect any bypass valve that is glued shut. If a
bypass valve is glued shut, the proposal would require replacing the
fuel filter assembly. Accomplishment of the inspection and replacement
(if necessary) would be in accordance with Raytheon SB No. 2677 (for
Model 2000), dated March, 1996; or Beechcraft SB No. 2678 (for Models
1900C and 1900D), dated May, 1996, as applicable.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 379 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection,
[[Page 35696]]
and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $45,480. This figure only takes into
account the cost of the inspection and does not take into account the
cost of replacing any fuel filter assembly found to have a
nonfunctional bypass valve. A fuel filter assembly replacement would
take approximately 1 workhour (possible two fuel filter assembly
replacements per airplane) at approximately $60 per hour. The
manufacturer will provide parts at no cost to the owner/operator. The
FAA knows of no affected airplane owner/operator that has already
accomplished the proposed action.
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
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:
Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation):
Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD.
Applicability: The following airplane model and serial numbers,
certificated in any category:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Models Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900C..................................... UC-1 through UC-174
1900C (C-12J)............................. UD-1 through UD-6
1900D..................................... UE-1 through UE-205
2000...................................... NC-4 through NC-53
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 50 hours time-in-service
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent lack of fuel to the engine and eventual engine
shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a contaminated fuel
filter by-pass valve, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect (one-time) the fuel filter assemblies to detect any
bypass valve that is glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued shut,
prior to further flight, replace the associated fuel filter
assembly. Accomplish the inspection and replacement (if necessary)
in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2677 (for
Model 2000), dated March, 1996; and Beechcraft SB No. 2678 (for
Models 1900C and 1900D), dated May, 1996.
(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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the documents referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon
Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or
may examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 25, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-17296 Filed 7-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
