Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55327-55328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27121]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-22-AD; Amendment 39-10829; AD 98-21-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-04-
02, which currently requires installing new exterior placards with 
operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency 
exits, as applicable, on certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. This AD requires either 
modifying the existing exterior placards with door operating 
instructions installed in accordance with AD 97-04-02; or installing 
new exterior placards with operating instructions for the airstair 
door, cargo door, and emergency exits, as applicable. This AD results 
from reports of the placards (required by AD 97-04-02) covering the 
atmospheric vents for the cabin door differential pressure lock. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to continue to assure that 
clear and complete operating instructions are visible for opening the 
airstair door, cargo door, or emergency exits, and to prevent improper 
operation of the cabin door differential pressure lock caused by the 
placards blocking the atmospheric vents.

DATES: Effective November 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-22-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
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: Mr. 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    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 
Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 27, 1998 
(63 FR 20543). The NPRM proposed to require either modifying the 
existing exterior placards with operating instructions installed in 
accordance with AD 97-04-02; or installing new exterior placards with 
operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency 
exits, as applicable. Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 2741, Rev. 1, Issued: February, 1997; Revised: 
May, 1997.
    The NPRM was the result of reports of the placards (required by AD 
97-04-02) covering the atmospheric vents for the cabin door 
differential pressure lock.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Comment Disposition

    One commenter recommends that an additional method of compliance be 
added to the proposal. The commenter states that the actions of AD 97-
04-02 have already been accomplished on the commenter's fleet of 
aircraft. In addition to these actions, the modification of the 
placards that is proposed in this action was accomplished in accordance 
with the instructions in Beechcraft message No. 52-0506, dated February 
21, 1997. These instructions basically incorporate the same information 
included in the modification instructions in Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 2741, Rev.1, dated May, 1997.
    The FAA concurs and will give alternative method of compliance 
credit in the AD for accomplishing the action in accordance with 
Beechcraft message No. 52-0506, dated February 21, 1997, in conjunction 
with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2741, dated February, 
1997.
    Another commenter agrees with the intent of the AD, but feels that 
the FAA should have issued an urgent safety of flight AD through the 
use of a ``final rule; request for comments.''

[[Page 55328]]

    After examining all the information related to the subject of this 
AD, the FAA did not feel it had sufficient justification for issuing an 
urgent safety of flight AD. No changes to the final rule are necessary.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
the addition of the alternative method of compliance previously 
discussed and minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that 
this addition and the minor editorial corrections will not change the 
meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the 
public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 524 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $3 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $33,012, or $63 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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, 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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 97-04-02, Amendment 39-9937, and by adding a new AD to read as 
follows:

98-21-20  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE 
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
10829; Docket No. 98-CE-22-AD; Supersedes AD 97-04-02, Amendment 39-
9937.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900......................................  UA-2 and UA-3.
1900C.....................................  UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1
                                             through UC-174.
1900C (C-12J).............................  UD-1 through UD-6.
1900D.....................................  UE-1 through UE-268.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (d) 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 within the next 200 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To continue to assure that clear and complete operating 
instructions are visible for opening the airstair door, cargo door, 
or emergency exits, and to prevent improper operation of the cabin 
door differential pressure lock caused by the placards blocking the 
atmospheric vents, accomplish the following:
    (a) Accomplish one of the following in accordance with 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 2741, Rev. 1, dated May, 1997:
    (1) Modify the existing exterior placards with operating 
instructions installed in accordance with AD 97-04-02 (superseded by 
this AD); or
    (2) Remove any existing operating instructions placards and 
install new exterior placards with operating instructions for the 
airstair door, cargo door, and emergency exits, as applicable.
    (b) Installing placards in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 2741, dated February, 1997, and then modifying 
these placards in accordance with Beechcraft message No. 52-0506, 
dated February 21, 1997, is considered an alternative method of 
compliance to the requirements of paragraphs (a), (a)(1), and (a)(2) 
of this AD.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209.
    (1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Wichita ACO.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 97-04-02 are considered approved as alternative methods of 
compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (e) The modifications, removal, and installations required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 2741, Rev. 1, dated May, 1997. 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 the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, 
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 1, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27121 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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