Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A and 400T Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12082-12083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5328]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-334-AD; Amendment 39-11615; AD 2000-05-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A and 400T 
Series 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 Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A and 400T series 
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to detect incorrect 
wiring of the engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs, and corrective 
action, if necessary. It also requires a modification to the wiring and 
the addition of wire harness and bottle labeling for future reference. 
This amendment is prompted by reports of incorrect wiring of the engine 
fire extinguisher bottle squibs. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to 
discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher bottle.

DATES: Effective April 12, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering, 
Beechjet/Premier Technical Support 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, Small 
Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 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: Todd Dixon, 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) 
946-4152; 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 Raytheon (Beech) Model 
400A and 400T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
December 6, 1999 (64 FR 68060). That action proposed to require a one-
time inspection to detect incorrect wiring of the engine fire 
extinguisher bottle squibs, and corrective action, if necessary. It 
also proposed to require a modification to the wiring and the addition 
of wire harness and bottle labeling for future reference.

Comments

    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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 350 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 310 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    It is estimated that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection,

[[Page 12083]]

at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the inspection portion of the AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $18,600, or $60 per airplane.
    It is estimated that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modification, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the modification portion of the required AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $37,200, or $120 per airplane.
    Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $55,800, or $180 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 warranty remedies are available for labor costs 
associated with accomplishing the actions required by this 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 adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-05-06  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 
39-11615. Docket 99-NM-334-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400A series airplanes, serial numbers RK-45 
and RK-49 through RK-209 inclusive; Model 400T series airplanes (T-
1A), serial numbers TT-01 through TT-180 inclusive; and Model 400T 
series airplanes (TX), serial numbers TX-01 through TX-09 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 failure of the engine fire extinguisher bottle to 
discharge, or discharge of the wrong engine fire extinguisher 
bottle, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the left and right 
engine fire extinguisher bottle squibs to detect wiring that is 
incorrect as specified by Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 26-
3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999. Perform the inspection in 
accordance with the service bulletin. If any incorrect wiring is 
detected, prior to further flight, repair it in accordance with the 
service bulletin.


    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Modification

    (b) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Modify and re-label the wiring of the left and right engine fire 
extinguisher bottle squibs, in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft 
Service Bulletin SB 26-3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999.

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 3: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Raytheon 
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 26-3250, Revision 1, dated July 1999. 
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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager 
Service Engineering, Beechjet/Premier Technical Support 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, Small Airplane Directorate, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 12, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 29, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5328 Filed 3-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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