[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43314-43316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20502]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model
400A airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the fuel
drain tube assembly in the aft fuselage with a new, modified assembly.
This proposal is prompted by a report of chafing of the fuel tube
assembly against the elevator control cable due to inadequate clearance
between the components. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent chafing of the fuel drain tube assembly, which
could result in fuel leakage from the fuel drain tube assembly and
consequent risk of a fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 9, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-280-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 or at
the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification
Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita,
Kansas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott West, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4146; 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
[[Page 43315]]
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 98-NM-280-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of chafing on the fuel drain tube
assembly in the aft fuselage on a Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A airplane.
Further investigation revealed that the elevator control cable
contacted the fuel drain tube assembly due to inadequate clearance
between the components. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in fuel leakage from the fuel drain tube assembly and consequent risk
of a fire.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Aircraft Service
Bulletin SB.28-3076, dated October, 1997, which describes procedures
for replacement of the existing fuel drain tube assembly with a new,
modified assembly. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 92 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 72 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $21 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $36,072, or
$501 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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. However, the FAA has been
advised that manufacturer warranties are available for parts associated
with accomplishing the replacement action required by this proposed AD.
Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S.
operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.
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): Docket 98-NM-280-AD.
Applicability: Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-1 through
RK-92 inclusive, 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 (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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent chafing of the fuel drain tube assembly, which could
result in fuel leakage from the fuel drain tube assembly and
consequent risk of fire, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) At the next scheduled inspection, but no later than 200
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the
existing aft fuselage fuel drain tube assembly, part number (P/N)
128-920151-1, with a new, modified tube assembly, P/N 128-920237-1,
in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB.28-3076,
dated October, 1997.
Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a fuel drain tube assembly, P/N 128-920151-1, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
[[Page 43316]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 4, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20502 Filed 8-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
