Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Beech 400A Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51856-51857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-157-AD; Amendment 39-12455; AD 2001-20-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Beech 400A 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 series airplanes, 
that requires replacement of certain bus bars connecting the battery 
and external power receptacle to the airframe ground with a new, 
improved bus bar. This amendment is prompted by reports of electrical 
arcing at the battery and external power receptacle of the airframe 
ground in the aft fuselage due to a deficiency in the bus bar and 
washer design. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
overheating or arcing of the ground connection in the aft fuselage 
area, which could result in a fire hazard due to ignition of fuel fumes 
during an engine start sequence.

DATES: Effective November 15, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Department 62, 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 FAA, 
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: Philip E. Petty, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4139; 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 Model Beech 400A 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 30, 
1999 (64 FR 47142). That action proposed to require replacement of 
certain bus bars connecting the battery and external power receptacle 
to the airframe ground with a new, improved bus bar.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter requests that the ``Spares'' paragraph be revised to 
read as follows (added text in brackets): ``(b) As of the effective 
date of this AD, no person shall install on any [Raytheon Model Beech 
400A series] airplane, a bus bar, P/N 128-364239-17 or P/N 101-361146-
1.'' The commenter states that the same part number is used on Raytheon 
(Beech) Models 300 and B300 and is not unsafe on those models. The 
``Spares'' paragraph proposed in the NPRM could be interpreted in such 
a way as to prevent the use of the parts on Raytheon (Beech) Models 300 
and B300.
    The FAA concurs and has revised paragraph (b) of the final rule 
accordingly.

Explanation of Changes Made to Proposed AD

    The final rule has also been revised to reflect the updated name of 
Raytheon Model Beech 400A series airplanes and the current address from 
which service information may be received.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 122 Model Beech 400A series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 110 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 11 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. The manufacturer has committed previously to its customers that 
it will bear the cost of replacement parts. As a result, the cost of 
those parts is not attributable to this AD. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $72,600, or 
$660 per airplane.
    The 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 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.
    The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions 
represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions 
actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include 
incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close 
up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative 
actions.

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

[[Page 51857]]

``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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2001-20-07  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 
39-12455. Docket 99-NM-157-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400A series airplanes, serial numbers RK-
78, RK-87 through RK-207 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 electrical arcing or overheating of the ground 
connection in the aft fuselage area, which could result in a fire 
hazard due to ignition of fuel fumes during an engine start 
sequence, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the two bus bars, part number (P/N) 128-364239-17 and P/N 
101-361146-1, with a new, improved bus bar, P/N 101-364046-231, in 
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 24-3253, dated 
January, 1999.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any Raytheon Model Beech 400A series airplane a bus bar having 
either P/N 128-364239-17 or P/N 101-361146-1.

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. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Raytheon 
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 24-3253, dated January 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, 
Department 62, 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, 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 15, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 2, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-25181 Filed 10-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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