[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 174 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46765-46766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21256]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-31-AD; Amendment 39-9352; AD 95-18-04]
Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400 and 400A Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Beech Model 400 and 400A airplanes, that requires
modification of the autopilot and rudder boost interlock. This
amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the rudder boost
system installed on these airplanes does not operate correctly during
deployment of a thrust reverser. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent incorrect operation of the rudder boost system
during deployment of a thrust reverser and to prevent the autopilot
from exceeding certain bank angle limits; these conditions could result
in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 10, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 10, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation, Commercial Service
Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, Small
Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Vassalli, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-130W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4132; fax (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Beech Model 400 and 400A
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 4, 1995 (60 FR
22013). That action proposed to require modification of the autopilot
and rudder boost interlock.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
There are approximately 92 Model 400 and 400A series airplanes of
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 69
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 24 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to
operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $99,360, or $1,440 per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
[[Page 46766]]
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does 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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-18-04 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9352. Docket 95-
NM-31-AD.
Applicability: Model 400 airplanes, serial RJ-61; and Model 400A
airplanes, serials RK-1 through RK-77 inclusive, and RK-79 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) At the next scheduled inspection, but no later than 200
hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, install
an autopilot and rudder boost improvement kit in accordance with
Beechcraft Service Bulletin No. 2533, dated October 1994.
(b) 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.
(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) The installation shall be done in accordance with Beechcraft
Service Bulletin No. 2533, dated October 1994. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation, Commercial Service
Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 10, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 22, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-21256 Filed 9-7-95; 8:45 am]
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