Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 58P, 60, A60, B60, and 65-88 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36509-36511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12885]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-32-AD; Amendment 39-12759; AD 2002-10-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 58P, 
60, A60, B60, and 65-88 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 58P, 60, 
A60, B60, and 65-88 airplanes. This AD requires you to install new 
exterior operating instruction placards for the exit doors. This AD is 
the result of Raytheon improving the visibility and understandability 
of the door operating instruction placards. This was done as a result 
of difficulty opening the emergency exits of a similar type design 
airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to assure that 
clear and complete operating instructions are visible for opening the 
emergency exit doors. If not visible and understandable, this could 
result in the inability to open the exit door during an emergency 
situation.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 8, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of July 
8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view this 
information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2001-CE-32-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA believes that the instructions for opening the exit doors 
are either not visible or not easy to understand on Raytheon Model 58P, 
60, A60, B60, and 65-88 airplanes. This is based on an accident 
involving a similar type design airplane that resulted in the issuance 
of AD 97-04-02. AD 97-04-02 was later superseded by AD 98-21-20 to 
incorporate more visible and understandable instructions.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    If the exterior door operating instruction placards are not visible 
and understandable, this could result in the inability to open the exit 
doors during an emergency situation.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to 
certain Raytheon Model 58P, 60, A60, B60, and 65-88 airplanes. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on January 14, 2002 (67 FR 1670). The NPRM proposed 
to require you to install new exterior operating instruction placards 
for the exit doors.

Was the Public Invited to Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor 
corrections:
    [sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
    [sbull] Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 850 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the modification:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Labor cost                            Parts cost                      Total cost per airplane             Total cost on U.S.  operators
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2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120...  $40.................................  $120 + $40 = $160...................  $160 x 850 = $136,000.
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[[Page 36510]]

    The manufacturer will provide warranty credit for parts to the 
extent noted under Material Information in Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 11-3404, Issued: June, 2001.

Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 100 hours time-
in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD or within the next 
12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, unless already accomplished.''

Why Is the Compliance Time of This AD Presented in Both Hours TIS and 
Calendar Time?

    The unsafe condition on these airplanes is not a result of the 
number of times the airplane is operated. Airplane operation varies 
among operators. For example, one operator may operate the airplane 50 
hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or 
more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has 
determined that the compliance time of this AD should be specified in 
both hours TIS and calendar time in order to assure this condition is 
not allowed to go uncorrected over time.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    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.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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 copy of the final 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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.


[sect] 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends [sect] 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-10-13 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12759; Docket No. 
2001-CE-32-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Model                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
58P.................................  TJ-3 through TJ-497.
60..................................  P-4 through P-122 and P-124
                                       through P-126.
A60.................................  P-123 and P-127 through P-246.
B60.................................  P-247 through P-596.
65-88...............................  LP-1 through LP-26, LP-28, and LP-
                                       30 through LP-47.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to assure that clear and complete operating 
instructions are visible for opening the exit doors. If not visible 
and understandable, this could result in the inability to open the 
exit door during an emergency situation.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the exterior door      Within the next 100   In accordance with
 operating procedures by       hours time-in-        the Accomplishment
 installing the applicable     service (TIS) after   Instructions
 placard as specified in the   July 8, 2002 (the     section of Raytheon
 service bulletin.             effective date of     Aircraft Mandatory
                               this AD) or within    Service Bulletin SB
                               the next 12           11-3404, Issued:
                               calendar months       June, 2001.
                               after July 8, 2002
                               (the effective date
                               of this AD),
                               whichever occurs
                               first, unless
                               already
                               accomplished.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Steven E. Potter, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 
Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 11-3404, 
Issued: June, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You may get copies from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, 
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. You may view copies at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

[[Page 36511]]

Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on July 8, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 16, 2002.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12885 Filed 5-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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