Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900, 1900C, 1900C (C-12J), and 1900D Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24941-24944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9898]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-46-AD; Amendment 39-13596; AD 2004-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900, 
1900C, 1900C (C-12J), and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 24942]]

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 1900, 1900C, 1900C (C-12J), 
and 1900D airplanes that do not have canted bulkhead Kit No. 129-4005-1 
S incorporated. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the canted 
bulkhead located at Fuselage Station (FS) 588.10 for cracks and 
incorporate canted bulkhead Repair Kit No. 129-4005-1 S anytime cracks 
are found. When Kit No. 129-4005-1 S is incorporated, the repetitive 
inspection requirement in this AD is terminated and no further action 
is required. This AD is the result of numerous reports of multi-site 
cracks occurring in the canted bulkhead at FS 588.10. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracks in the canted bulkhead. These 
cracks could result in failure of the bulkhead. Failure of the canted 
bulkhead could lead to loss of rudder and elevator control, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 14, 2004.
    As of June 14, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.You may view the AD 
docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-46-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? We have received numerous reports 
of multi-site cracks in the canted bulkhead at Fuselage Station (FS) 
558.10 on Raytheon 1900 Series airplanes. Cracks were found at the 
outer flange radius, the outer flange stringer cutouts, and at the 
flight control system support brackets of the canted bulkhead.
    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 Aircraft Company 
Model 1900, 1900C, 1900C (C-12J), and 1900D airplanes that do not have 
canted bulkhead Kit No. 129-4005-1 S incorporated. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on November 18, 2003 (68 FR 64996). The supplemental 
NPRM was proposed to require you to:
--Repetitively inspect the canted bulkhead located at FS 588.10 for 
cracks; and
--Incorporate canted bulkhead Repair Kit No. 129-4005-1 S if any cracks 
are found and as a terminating action for the repetitive inspection 
requirement. When Kit No. 129-4005-1 S is incorporated, no further 
action is required.

    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, 
if not detected and corrected, could prevent the bulkhead from carrying 
its limit and ultimate design load because of cracks in the canted 
bulkhead. Failure of the bulkhead could affect the rudder cable tension 
and result in loss of elevator and rudder control, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 364 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 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Total cost per
           Labor cost                Parts cost         airplane             Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $65 per hour =     Not applicable...              $130  $130 x 364 = $47,320.
 $130.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
modification that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection(s). We have no way of determining the number of airplanes 
that may need this modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                    Parts cost                    Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80 workhours x $65 per hour = $5,200....              $718  $5,200 + $718 = $5,918.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 24943]]

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 95-CE-46-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-09-07 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-13596; Docket No. 
95-CE-46-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 14, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that:
    (1) do not have canted bulkhead Kit No. 129-4005-1 incorporated; 
and
    (2) are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900.........................  UA-1 through UA-3.
1900C........................  UB-1 through UB-74 and UC-1 through UC-
                                174.
1900C (C12J).................  UD-1 through UD-6.
1900D........................  UE-1 through UE-113.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of numerous reports of multi-site 
cracks occurring in the canted bulkhead at FS 588.10. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracks in the canted bulkhead, which 
could result in failure of the bulkhead. Failure of the canted 
bulkhead could lead to loss of rudder and elevator control, which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the canted bulkhead   Initially inspect   Follow Raytheon
 at Fuselage Station (FS) 588.10   at whichever        Aircraft Company
 for fatigue cracks.               occurs later,       Mandatory Service
                                   unless already      Bulletin SB 53-
                                   done: Upon the      2564, Revision 2,
                                   accumulation of     Revised: July,
                                   5,000 hours time-   2003.
                                   in-service (TIS)
                                   or within the
                                   next 600 hours
                                   TIS after June
                                   14, 2004 (the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD). If no
                                   cracks are found,
                                   repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 600 hours
                                   TIS until Kit No.
                                   129-4005-1 S is
                                   incorporated.
                                   When Kit No. 129-
                                   4005-1 S is
                                   incorporated, no
                                   further action is
                                   required.
(2) If cracks exist or are found  Before further      Follow Raytheon
 during any inspection required    flight after the    Aircraft Company
 in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD,   inspection in       Mandatory Service
 Kit No. 129-4005-1 S must be      which the cracks    Bulletin SB 53-
 incorporated.                     are found or        2564, Revision 2,
                                   known to exist.     Revised: July,
                                                       2003.
(3) Incorporating Kit No. 129-    Kit No. 129-4005-1  Follow Raytheon
 4005-1 S is the terminating       S can be            Aircraft Company
 action for the repetitive         incorporated at     Mandatory Service
 inspection requirements           any time. When      Bulletin SB 53-
 specified in paragraph (e)(1)     incorporated, no    2564, Revision 2,
 of this AD.                       further action is   Revised: July,
                                   required.           2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Steven E. 
Potter, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 
946-4407.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 53-2564, Revision 2, Revised: July, 2003. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
service bulletin in

[[Page 24944]]

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a 
copy from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, 
Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You 
may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 21, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9898 Filed 5-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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