[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41901-41905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20442]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-33-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company 58, 60, 90,
100, 200, and 300 Series and Model 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 Company (Raytheon)
58, 60, 90, 100, 200, and 300 series and Model 2000 airplanes. The
proposed action would require replacing certain AlliedSignal Aerospace
outflow/safety valves in the pressurization system with new or
serviceable valves. The proposed AD results from a report of cracking
and consequent failure of the affected outflow safety valves in the
pressurization system. Investigation has revealed problems during the
manufacturing process of certain Allied Signal outflow/safety valves.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
outflow/safety valve cracking and consequent failure, which could
result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 4, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-33-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 AlliedSignal Aerospace, Technical Publications, Department 65-70,
P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2170. This information also may
be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael D. Imbler, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room
100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-
4147; 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
[[Page 41902]]
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. 97-CE-33-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. 97-CE-33-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of an outflow/safety valve in the
pressurization system failing on a Learjet Model 31A airplane, which
resulted in depressurization of the airplane. Investigation of this
outflow/safety valve (manufactured by AlliedSignal) revealed that the
poppets of the valve were cracked.
These outflow/safety valves have been manufactured since January 1,
1989. Additional testing has shown that some of these outflow/safety
valves manufactured since January 1, 1989, are susceptible to cracking
because of improper injection molding during the manufacturing process.
The condition is traced to one of two lots (batch-runs) of molded
poppets installed in valves since 1989. Research of these lots has
revealed brittleness of these parts, which is characteristic of
improper processing during injection molding. Tensile stress then
develops upon installation of the poppet, which leads to hairline
cracks. Small cracks have no effect, but can develop into larger cracks
that cause an increase in the valve operating pressure, which could
result in cabin depressurization.
The outflow/safety valves installed in Raytheon 58, 60, 90, 100,
200, and 300 series and Model 2000 airplanes are similar to the valves
installed on the Learjet Model 31A airplane involved in the above-
referenced incident. The outflow/safety valves installed at the factory
on the affected airplanes were manufactured after September 1, 1991,
and before October 1, 1996.
Applicable Service Information
AlliedSignal Aerospace has issued the following:
--Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995;
--Service Bulletin 103648-21-4022, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995; and
--Service Bulletin 103598-21-4024, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995.
These service bulletins include information for determining whether
the affected airplanes incorporate one of the affected outflow/safety
valves. The service bulletins also reference the applicable outflow/
safety valves as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valve model Valve serial numbers Airplane models installed in
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103570-26..................... 80-223, 80-225 through 80- 2000.
227, 80-229, and 80-230.
103598-2...................... 16-808, 39-2434, 45-747, 87- 60(A), C90, and E90.
1600, and 116-1238.
103598-15..................... 128-11....................... 58P.
103648-1...................... 11-4913 through 11-4916, 12- 60, 90, A90, B90, C90, E90, 100, A100, and B100.
3832, 20-3006, 22-4950, 12-
3912, 30-3076, 39-2412, 41-
4918, 41-4919, 61-3300, 101-
4920, 101-4922 through 101-
4924, 101-4926 through 101-
4931, 101-4933, 101-4935,
101-4936, 101-4938, 101-
4940, 101-4941, 121-3683,
121-4942, 129-2904, and 129-
2920.
103648-3...................... 21-1827, 71-1828, 71-1829, 58P.
and 120-1823 through 101-
1826.
103648-4...................... 10-4664 through 10-4667, 11- 200.
223, 11-3093, 11-3161, 11-
4717 through 11-4721, 12-
795, 12-3641, 12-4760, 15-
4368, 21-3182, 21-3208, 21-
4722 through 21-4728, 21-
4730, 21-4732, 22-3688, 22-
3706, 22-3733, 22-3736, 24-
4232, 24-4241, 24-4252, 24-
4255, 27-4498, 32-3756, 32-
3777, 32-4761, 32-4762, 37-
1087, 37-1113, 38-2417, 41-
3227, 41-3237, 41-3261, 41-
3274, 41-4733, 41-4734, 42-
1475, 42-3830, 42-3838, 42-
3840, 42-3850, 42-3851, 42-
3877, 42-3882, 42-3883, 42-
3890, 48-1557, 49-181, 50-
2804, 51-4735, 51-4736, 59-
2090, 60-2896, 61-3301, 61-
4737, 61-4738, 62-3907, 62-
3968, 62-3981, 62-2155, 70-
2960, 71-4739, 71-4740, 72-
3988, 72-3991, 72-3999,
103648-4 74-4288, 74-4289,
74-4293, 74-4296, 76-4441,
77-4556, 77-4567, 79-2189,
79-2218, 79-2223, 81-3415,
87-1197, 87-1585, 89-2288,
95-4404, 99-2358, 99-2365,
99-2369, 99-2385, 99-2403,
99-2430, 104-4336, 107-1297,
110-3033, 111-3462, 111-
3482, 111-3515, 111-4755,
116-4468, 116-4470, 119-
2507, 119-2520, 120-3043,
120-3048, 120-3057, 120-4687
through 120-4692, 121-3562,
126-4490, 128-1776, and 129-
4639.
103648-5...................... 10-325, 12-760, 12-799, 20- C90-1, C90A, and F90.
236, 21-1734, 21-1741
through 21-1744, 21-1746, 40-
365, 21-1762, 41-1763, 60-
243, 61-605, 77-1590, 90-
461, 100-1712 through 100-
1718, 100-1720 through 100-
1726, 100-1728 through 100-
1731, 105-149, 105-285, 109-
1613, 109-1620, 116-1488,
121-1764, 126-1502, and 126-
1511.
103648-6...................... 101-1830, 101-1831, and 110- 58P and 90.
1822.
103648-7...................... 11-208, 14-1206, 17-2204, 21- B200 and 300.
2817, 21-2818, 21-2827, 21-
2828, 22-2832, 23-1030, 23-
1058, 24-1211, 24-1232, 25-
1634, 30-2719, 31-346, 42-
843, 51-397, 51-398, 51-409,
54-1253, 74-1320, 77-2349,
86-2136, 103-1129, 110-1171,
112-961, 112-1000, 113-1172,
113-1192, 114-1538, 118-
2569, 119-2607, 119-2614,
101-2796 through 100-2806,
and 100-2808 through 100-
2815.
103648-13..................... 12-410, 12-464, 12-465, and 300 and B300.
70-386 through 70-400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2484, evision 1, dated
October, 1995, references the Allied Signal service bulletins.
The FAA's Determination
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 outflow/safety valve cracking and consequent
failure, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
[[Page 41903]]
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 58, 60, 90, 100, 200, and 300 series
and Model 2000 airplanes of the same type design that have an
AlliedSignal Aerospace outflow/safety valve (referenced above in the
discussion of the service information) installed, the proposed AD would
require replacing outflow/safety valves with new or serviceable valves.
Accomplishment of the proposed replacement would be in accordance with
the applicable maintenance or service manual.
Similar Actions Required on the Affected Airplanes
On August 12, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-17-10, Amendment 39-9719
(61 FR 42996, August 20, 1996), which requires replacing the outflow/
safety valves with serviceable valves on certain Raytheon Model 400,
400A, MU-300-10, and 2000 airplanes, and 200, B200, 300, and B300
series airplanes. The FAA inadvertently included the Raytheon 200,
B200, 300, and B300 series and Model 2000 airplanes in the
applicability of AD 96-17-10. These airplanes are certificated under
part 23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 23), and the
FAA has determined that these airplanes should be addressed in this
proposed AD along with certain other Raytheon airplanes certificated
under 14 CFR part 23. The Raytheon Models 400, 400A, and MU-300-10
airplanes are certificated under part 25 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR part 25). The FAA is proposing a revision to AD 96-
17-10 in another action to retain the requirements for the airplanes
certificated under 14 CFR part 25.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
The FAA has determined that an interval of 4 months is an
appropriate compliance time to address the identified unsafe condition
in a timely manner. This compliance time was deemed appropriate after
considering the safety implications, the average utilization rate of
the affected fleet, and the availability of the replacement parts. In
addition, this compliance time will coincide with the compliance time
originally included in AD 96-17-10 of 18 months after the effective
date (effective date: September 24, 1996 plus 18 months = March 24,
1998). Should the proposed rule become a final rule, this would occur
around November 1997. Based on this information, the 4-month compliance
time of the proposed AD will coincide with the compliance time included
in AD 96-10-17. Both should become effective in March 1998.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2,386 airplanes in the U.S. registry would
be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 12
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Allied Signal will
provide parts at no cost to the owner/operator. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $1,717,920 or $720 per airplane. 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), 40101, 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 Company: Docket No. 97-CE-33-AD.
Applicability: 58, 60, 90, 100, 200, and 300 series and Model
2000 airplanes (all serial numbers), certificated in any category.
The following charts present airplane models and serial numbers that
are equipped with AlliedSignal Aerospace outflow safety valves as
referenced in either AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-
21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995; Service Bulletin 103648-21-
4022, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995; or Service Bulletin 103598-21-
4024, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995.
--The airplanes presented in the charts are affected by paragraph
(a) of this AD.
--All airplanes are affected by paragraph (b) of this AD.
Airplane Models and Serial Numbers That Are Equipped With Allied Signal Outflow Valves
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Models Serial N-3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58P and 58PA................................ TJ-3 through TJ-497.
60 and A60.................................. P-3 through P-246 with Kit No. 60-5024-1S incorporated.
B60......................................... P-247 through P-307 with Kit No. 60-5024-3 S incorporated.
B60......................................... P-308 through P-596.
65-90, A90, B90, C90, and C90A.............. LJ-1 through LJ-1302.
E90......................................... LW-1 through LW-347.
F90......................................... LA-2 through LA-236.
100 and A100................................ B-1 through B-94, B-100 through B-204, and B-206 through B-247.
B100........................................ BE-1 through BE-137.
200 and B200................................ BB-2, and BB-6 through BB-1419.
[[Page 41904]]
200C and B200C.............................. BL-1 through BL-23, BL-25 through BL-57, and BL-61 through BL-137.
200T........................................ B-1 through BT-32.
200CT and B200CT............................ BN-1 through BN-4.
300......................................... FA-1 through FA-220, and FF-1 through FF-19.
B300........................................ F1-1 through F1-72.
B300C....................................... FM-1, FM-2, and FM-3.
2000........................................ NC-4 through NC-53.
H90 (T44A).................................. LL-1 through LL-61.
A100 (U-21F)................................ B-95 through B-99.
A100-1 (U21J)............................... BB-3, BB-4, and BB-5.
A200 (C12-A/C).............................. 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 (FWC-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-9.
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.
B200C (C-12F)............................... BP-64 through BP-71.
B200CT (FWC-12D)............................ FG-1 and FG-2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicable Outflow Safety Valves With Applicable Airplane Models
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valve model Valve serial numbers Airplane models installed in
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103570-26..................... 80-223, 80-225 through 80- 2000.
227, 80-229, and 80-230.
103598-2...................... 16-808, 39-2434, 45-747, 87- 60(A), C90, and E90.
1600, and 116-1238.
103598-15..................... 128-11....................... 58P.
103648-1...................... 11-4913 through 11-4916, 12- 60, 90, A90, B90, C90, E90, 100, A100, and B100.
3832, 20-3006, 22-4950, 12-
3912, 30-3076, 39-2412, 41-
4918, 41-4919, 61-3300, 101-
4920, 101-4922 through 101-
4924, 101-4926 through 101-
4931, 101-4933, 101-4935,
101-4936, 101-4938, 101-
4940, 101-4941, 121-3683,
121-4942, 129-2904, and 129-
2920.
103648-3...................... 21-1827, 71-1828, 71-1829, 58P.
and 120-1823 through 101-
1826.
103648-4...................... 10-4664 through 10-4667, 11- 200.
223, 11-3093, 11-3161, 11-
4717 through 11-4721, 12-
795, 12-3641, 12-4760, 15-
4368, 21-3182, 21-3208, 21-
4722 through 21-4728, 21-
4730, 21-4732, 22-3688, 22-
3706, 22-3733, 22-3736, 24-
4232, 24-4241, 24-4252, 24-
4255, 27-4498, 32-3756, 32-
3777, 32-4761, 32-4762, 37-
1087, 37-1113, 38-2417, 41-
3227, 41-3237, 41-3261, 41-
3274, 41-4733, 41-4734, 42-
1475, 42-3830, 42-3838, 42-
3840, 42-3850, 42-3851, 42-
3877, 42-3882, 42-3883, 42-
3890, 48-1557, 49-181, 50-
2804, 51-4735, 51-4736, 59-
2090, 60-2896, 61-3301, 61-
4737, 61-4738, 62-3907, 62-
3968, 62-3981, 62-2155, 70-
2960, 71-4739, 71-4740, 72-
3988, 72-3991, 72-3999, 74-
4288, 74-4289, 74-4293, 74-
4296, 76-4441, 77-4556, 77-
4567, 79-2189, 79-2218, 79-
2223, 81-3415, 87-1197, 87-
1585, 89-2288, 95-4404, 99-
2358, 99-2365, 99-2369, 99-
2385, 99-2403, 99-2430, 104-
4336, 107-1297, 110-3033,
111-3462, 111-3482, 111-
3515, 111-4755, 116-4468,
116-4470, 119-2507, 119-
2520, 120-3043, 120-3048,
120-3057, 120-4687 through
120-4692, 121-3562, 126-
4490, 128-1776, and 129-4639.
103648-5...................... 10-325, 12-760, 12-799, 20- C90-1, C90A and F90.
236, 21-1734, 21-1741
through 21-1744, 21-1746, 40-
365, 21-1762, 41-1763, 60-
243, 61-605, 77-1590, 90-
461, 100-1712 through 100-
1718, 100-1720 through 100-
1726, 100-1728 through 100-
1731, 105-149, 105-285, 109-
1613, 109-1620, 116-1488,
121-1764, 126-1502, and 126-
1511.
103648-6...................... 101-1830, 101-1831, and 110- 58P and 90.
1822.
103648-7...................... 11-208, 14-1206, 17-2204, 21- B200 and 300.
2817, 21-2818, 21-2827, 21-
2828, 22-2832, 23-1030, 23-
1058, 24-1211, 24-1232, 25-
1634, 30-2719, 31-346, 42-
843, 51-397, 51-398, 51-409,
54-1253, 74-1320, 77-2349,
86-2136, 103-1129, 110-1171,
112-961, 112-1000, 113-1172,
113-1192, 114-1538, 118-
2569, 119-2607, 119-2614,
101-2796 through 100-2806,
and 100-2808 through 100-
2815.
103648-13..................... 12-410, 12-464, 12-465, and 300 and B300.
70-386 through 70-400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 41905]]
Note 1: The above outflow/safety valves are referenced in
AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1,
dated May 30, 1995; Service Bulletin 103648-21-4022, Revision 1,
dated May 30, 1995; and Service Bulletin 103598-21-4024, Revision 1,
dated May 30, 1995. In addition, Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2484,
Revision 1, dated October, 1995, references the AlliedSignal service
bulletins.
Note 2: 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.
To prevent outflow/safety valve cracking and consequent failure,
which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) For the airplanes referenced in the ``Airplane Models and
Serial Numbers That Are Equipped with Allied Signal Outflow Valves''
table that is included in the ``Applicability'' section of this AD:
Within the next 4 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace (with a new or serviceable valve) any outflow/safety valve
that does not have one of the following:
(1) The valve identification plate MOD RECORD stamped ``PCA''
(Poppet Change Accomplished); or
(2) A valve with an inked ATD Quality Assurance ``Functional
Test (FT)'' stamp that is dated June 1992, or later.
(b) For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install on any affected airplane any outflow/safety valve
that is referenced in the ``Applicable Outflow Safety Valves With
Applicable Airplane Models'' table that is included in the
``Applicability'' section of this AD.
(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.
Note 3: 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 documents referred to herein upon request to AlliedSignal
Aerospace, Technical Publications, Department 65-70, P.O. Box 52170,
Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2170; 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 July 29, 1997.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20442 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
