Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44494-44496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15622]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-078-AD; 
Amendment 39-18577; AD 2016-13-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon 
Aircraft Company) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Beechcraft Corporation Model BAe.125 Series 1000A and 1000B airplanes 
and Model Hawker 1000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of 
inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which can result in high 
forward engine thrust even though the throttle is commanding reverse 
thrust. This AD requires installing kits that include relays, 
associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail annunciator. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, 
which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff or 
landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to 
occupants.

DATES: This AD is effective August 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 12, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-
0085; telephone: 316-676-8238; fax: 316-671-2540; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view 
this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-0460.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
0460; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Englert, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. 
Eisenhower

[[Page 44495]]

National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4167; fax: 316-946-
4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Beechcraft 
Corporation Model BAe.125 series 1000A and 1000B airplanes and Model 
Hawker 1000 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
January 21, 2016 (81 FR 3348) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which can 
result in high forward engine thrust even though the throttle is 
commanding reverse thrust. The NPRM proposed to require installing kits 
that include relays, associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail 
annunciator. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of 
the thrust reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a 
rejected takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and 
possible injury to occupants.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    Mr. Kevin Maher expressed support for the NPRM.

Request To Revise NPRM Requirement

    Mr. Kenneth Rittenhouse of Becker Aviation LLC requested that we 
not require installation of the service kits, but leave the 
installation decision up to the individual owner/operator. Mr. 
Rittenhouse stated that the NPRM mentions that there have not been any 
issues reported involving Model BAe.125 airplanes but does mention that 
those airplanes have a similar engine/thrust reverser system to 
airplanes on which the problem was reported. Mr. Rittenhouse explained 
that if you examine the Learjet Model 60 and the Model Hawker 1000 
systems, the Hawker 1000 is much more robust with redundant 
capabilities. Mr. Rittenhouse stated that he does not believe the 
unsafe condition has ever been an issue with the Model Hawker 1000 
airplanes, and that it is extremely unjust to force operators to comply 
with this modification that costs 15 percent of the total value of the 
airplane.
    We do not agree with the commenter's request. We recognize that 
maintaining airplanes in an airworthy condition is vital, but sometimes 
expensive. Installation of the service kit corrects a potential unsafe 
condition that could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff 
or landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to 
occupants. The service kit was designed and proposed by the airplane 
original equipment manufacturer as its best correction option. The root 
cause of the unsafe condition is incorrect software logic within the 
engine's electronic control unit. We acknowledge the commenter's 
statement indicating that ``the Hawker 1000 is much more robust with 
redundant capabilities,'' however, the commenter did not submit any 
substantiating data to support that statement. We have determined that 
this unsafe condition exists on the Model Hawker 1000 airplanes as well 
as Beechcraft Corporation Model BAe.125 Series 1000A and 1000B 
airplanes. We might approve requests to revise the applicability of 
this AD if the request includes data that justifies such a revision and 
provides an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed this AD in 
this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Beechcraft Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015. 
The service information describes procedures for installing kits having 
part numbers 140-9005 and 140-9006, which include relays, associated 
wiring, and a thrust reverser fail annunciator. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                       Labor cost             Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation.....................  340 work-hours x $85 per          $100,000         $128,900       $4,898,200
                                    hour = $28,900.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

[[Page 44496]]

    (4) 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.

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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-13-13 Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company): 
Amendment 39-18577; Docket No. FAA-2016-0460; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-078-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Beechcraft Corporation (type certificate 
previously held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft 
Company) airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BAe.125 series 1000A and 1000B airplanes, serial 
numbers 258151, 258159, and 259004 through 259042 inclusive.
    (2) Model Hawker 1000 airplanes, serial numbers 259003 and 
259043 through 259052 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Engine 
Exhaust.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent stowage of the 
thrust reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust 
even though the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of the thrust 
reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected 
takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and possible 
injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Installation

    Within 600 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first: Install kits having part numbers 
140-9005 and 140-9006, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Beechcraft Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015, 
except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Exception to Service Information

    A note in the Accomplishment Instructions of Beechcraft Service 
Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015, instructs operators to contact 
Beechcraft Corporation if any difficulty is encountered in 
accomplishing the service bulletin. However, any deviation from the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD must be approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under the provisions of 
paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Englert, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, 
Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower 
National Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4167; fax: 316-
946-4107; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Beechcraft Service Bulletin 78-4133, dated May 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Beechcraft service information identified in this AD, 
contact Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 
67201-0085; telephone: 316-676-8238; fax: 316-671-2540; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://pubs.beechcraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, June 22, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-15622 Filed 7-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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