[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36864-36866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18008]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 130 / Wednesday, July 8, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900,
1900C, and 1900D Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 97-14-16, which currently requires repetitively inspecting the
flap aft roller bearings and flap attachment brackets for indications
of contact (wear), inspecting for elongation of the holes in the flap
attachment brackets, repairing or replacing any part showing wear, and
replacing any bracket with elongated holes on Raytheon Aircraft Company
(Raytheon) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. The proposed AD
would retain the actions required in AD 97-14-16, and would increase
the number of repetitive inspections by reducing the number of ground-
air-ground (GAG) cycles allowed between inspections. The proposed AD
would also lower the total GAG cycles accumulated before the required
initial inspection. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent asymmetric flaps, jammed flaps, and/or possible
interference between the flap and the aileron, which could inhibit
aileron travel and result in possible loss of roll control of the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 18, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-23-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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, 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. Steven E. 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. 98-CE-23-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 Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074, (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997)
currently requires repetitively inspecting the flap aft roller bearings
and flap attachment brackets for indications of contact (wear),
inspecting for elongation of the holes in the flap attachment brackets,
repairing or replacing any part showing wear, and replacing any bracket
found with elongated holes on Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D
airplanes.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of AD 97-14-16, the manufacturer has reported to
the FAA that another incident of flap roll bearings wearing on the flap
attachment brackets has occurred on a Raytheon 1900 series airplane.
This makes a total of five incidents of aileron interference on these
airplanes. Because the most recent incident occurred at a much lower
number of GAG cycles than the preceding incidents, the FAA believes the
number of flights accumulated before the initial and repetitive
inspections required in AD 97-14-16 should be reduced.
Relevant Service Information
Raytheon has issued Safety Communique No. 137, dated May, 1997,
which specifies procedures for inspecting the flap attachment brackets
for signs of wear, and inspecting the aft roller bearing attachment
holes for elongation. If wear from contact is visible or the roller
bearing attachment holes are elongated, the Safety Communique specifies
procedures for repairing or replacing the part. The new service
information issued, Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB
27-3158, Issued: June, 1998, is basically the same action as the
information referenced above, except for a change in the initial and
repetitive compliance times.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has
determined that AD action should be taken to preclude interference
between the flap and the aileron, which could help prevent aileron
travel.
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This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of
directional control of the airplane during critical phases of flight.
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 1900, 1900C, and 1900D
airplanes of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD
97-14-16 with a new AD. The proposed AD would require the same actions
required in AD 97-14-16, which are:
--Repetitively inspecting the outboard flap attachment brackets and aft
roller bearings for wear;
--Inspecting for elongation of the holes in the flap attachment
brackets;
--Repairing or replacing any part showing wear; and
--Replacing any bracket found with elongated holes.
In addition, the proposed AD would change the compliance time by
reducing the required number of GAG cycles accumulated prior to the
initial inspection and the number of GAG cycles required between the
repetitive inspections.
Differences Between the Service Bulletin and the Proposed AD
The Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 27-3158,
Issued: June, 1998, specifies that the initial inspection be
accomplished at the accumulation of 1,200 GAG cycles, with the
repetitive inspections occurring every 1,200 GAG cycles. The FAA is
proposing that the GAG cycles be reduced to 600 for the initial
inspections and 600 GAG cycles between the repetitive inspections. The
FAA is using GAG cycles while the Raytheon service information is using
flap cycles, which varies by a factor of two.
The FAA's reason for reducing the GAG cycles by half is that the
unsafe condition could occur during critical phases of flight. The FAA
must also consider that an unsafe condition on commuter aircraft
warrants additional caution.
Justification of Compliance Time and Determination of the Effective
Date of This AD
Wear of the flap aft roller bearings and flap attachment brackets
and elongation of the flap attachment bracket holes occur over time.
Examination of the most recent referenced incident and all information
available to the FAA indicates that this problem has the potential of
becoming detectable at around 1,200 flap cycles. To ensure that this
unsafe condition does not occur during flight, the FAA is using 2 flap
cycles per ground-air-ground cycle; therefore the proposed initial
inspection would be required at a total accumulation of 600 GAG cycles.
The repetitive inspection would be required every 600 GAG cycles.
These airplanes are utilized primarily in commuter service.
Operators of these airplanes average anywhere from 8 GAG cycles per day
to 14 GAG cycles per day. Based on these averages, operators of
Raytheon 1900 series airplanes would reach the above thresholds between
42 days to 75 days from the initial service date of the airplane, and
every 42 to 75 days after each repetitive inspection.
For these reasons, the FAA has determined that the inspections
required by the proposed AD should occur ``Upon the accumulation of 600
total GAG cycles, or within the next 100 GAG cycles after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, or within 600 GAG cycles from
the date of the last inspection required by AD 97-14-16, unless already
accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 GAG
cycles.'' The 100 GAG cycles for the initial compliance time is
utilized to allow a grace period for those airplanes already over the
600 GAG cycle time, so as not to inadvertently ground the affected
airplanes.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 527 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, that it
would take approximately 8 workhours to accomplish the proposed repair,
and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts
cost approximately $440 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$63,240, or $120 per airplane
These figures are calculated on the basis that the proposed
inspection would be the only cost required. The proposed repair would
be on the condition that damage would be found as a result of the
inspection.
The cost impact to the owner/operators of the affected airplanes
could possibly double since the FAA is proposing a reduction of the
number of required GAG cycles between the proposed inspections. The FAA
is not able to determine the number of repetitive inspections that
would occur over the life of the 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997), and by
adding a new AD to read as follows:
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held
by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD;
Supersedes AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074.
Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,
certificated in any category:
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Model Serial Nos.
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1900.................................. UA-1 and UA-3.
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1900C................................. UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1
through UC-174.
1900C (C-12J)......................... UD-1 through UD-6.
1900D................................. UE-1 through all serial numbers.
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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.
Note 2: The compliance time of this AD takes precedence over the
compliance time set out in the Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. SB 27-3158, Issued: June, 1998.
Note 3: If the owners/operators of the affected airplane have
not kept track of GAG cycles, hours time-in-service (TIS) may be
substituted by multiplying each hour TIS by 2, to calculate the
number of GAG cycles. For example, 1,300 hours TIS would equal 2,600
GAG cycles.
To prevent asymmetric flaps, jammed flaps, and/or possible
interference between the flap and the aileron, which could inhibit
aileron travel and result in possible loss of roll control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Upon the accumulation of 600 total ground-air-ground (GAG)
cycles, or within 600 GAG cycles from the date of the last
inspection required by AD 97-14-16, or within the next 100 GAG
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 GAG cycles, inspect
the outboard flap attachment brackets and aft roller bearings on
both wings for visible wear and elongation of the bracket holes in
accordance with instructions 1 through 17 in Raytheon Aircraft
(Raytheon) Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 27-3158, Issued: June,
1998.
(b) Prior to further flight, repair or replace any worn or
damaged part in accordance with Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the
Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair
Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16, 1997; Reissued June 30,
1992.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 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
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), Room 100, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209.
(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager. Wichita ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved for AD 97-14-16
are not considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for
this AD.
Note 4: 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 Raytheon Aircraft
Company, 9709 E. Central, P. O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085;
or may examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
(f) This amendment supersedes AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 29, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18008 Filed 7-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
