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

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72130-72132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34385]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD; Amendment 39-10970; AD 99-01-03]
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) 97-14-
16, which applies to Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models 1900, 
1900C, and 1900D airplanes. AD 97-14-16 currently requires repetitively 
inspecting the outboard flap support roller bearings and flap 
attachment brackets for indications of contact (wear), inspecting for 
elongated holes in the flap attachment brackets, repairing or replacing 
any part showing wear, and replacing any bracket with elongated holes. 
AD 97-14-16 was the result of five incidents where the flap roller 
bearings rubbed on the flap attachment brackets and resulted in aileron 
interference. This AD retains the repetitive inspection requirement of 
AD 97-14-16, but reduces the number of ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles 
allowed between inspections and lowers the total number of accumulated 
GAG cycles allowed before mandatory accomplishment of the initial 
inspection. This AD also provides the option of replacing the outboard 
flap roller bearings with parts of improved design as terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent asymmetric flaps, jammed flaps, and/
or possible interference between the flap and the aileron, which could 
inhibit aileron travel and result in possible loss of roll control of 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective February 8, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft Safety 
Communique No. 137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997; and Raytheon 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, as 
listed in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of February 8, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft Temporary 
Revision No. 57-1 to the Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series 
Structural Repair Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16, 1997; 
Reissued: June 30, 1992, as listed in the regulations, was previously 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 4, 1997 
(62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997).

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-23-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 Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
July 8, 1998 (63 FR 36864). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 97-14-16, 
Amendment 39-10074 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997), which currently 
requires repetitively inspecting the outboard flap support roller 
bearings and flap attachment brackets for indications of contact 
(wear), inspecting for elongated holes in the flap attachment brackets, 
repairing or replacing any part showing wear, and replacing any bracket 
with elongated holes.
    The NPRM proposed to retain the same actions as AD 97-14-16, but 
would reduce the number of ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles allowed 
between inspections and would lower the total number of accumulated GAG 
cycles allowed before mandatory accomplishment of the initial 
inspection.
    Accomplishment of the proposed inspections as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 27-158, Issued: June, 1998. Accomplishment of the 
proposed repairs as specified in the NPRM would be required in 
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the 
Raytheon Aircraft Beech

[[Page 72131]]

1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated 
May 16, 1997; Reissued: June 30, 1992.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received from three different commenters.

Comment Disposition

    One commenter supports the NPRM as written.
    The other two commenters raise issues concerning the way the FAA 
referenced the applicable service information in the NPRM. The 
commenters' concerns are as follows:

--The FAA incorrectly referenced Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, as the document to use to 
accomplish the inspections. The document that contains procedures to 
accomplish the inspections is Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique No. 
137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997.
--Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158 is 
incorrectly referenced as ``Issued: June, 1998'' instead of ``Issued: 
July, 1998''.
--Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: 
July, 1998, references replacing the outboard flap support roller 
bearings. This should be an option available to the owners/operators of 
the affected airplanes, instead of the repetitive inspections.

    The FAA concurs with all of the above comments. The FAA will 
develop this final rule to include Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique 
No. 137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997, as the document to use to 
accomplish the repetitive inspections. The FAA will also include the 
option of replacing the outboard flap support roller bearings in 
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-
3158, Issued: July, 1998, as terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirement of the AD.

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 changes described above and minor editorial corrections. The FAA 
has determined that these changes and minor 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 527 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    The following cost information is for those owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes who choose to repetitively inspect the outboard flap 
support roller bearings instead of replacing these bearings with parts 
of improved design. It will take approximately 2 workhours per airplane 
to accomplish the initial inspection at approximately $60 per workhour. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the initial inspection 
is estimated to be $120 per airplane. Costs to repair the outboard flap 
support roller bearings (if wear is found) would cost $920 per airplane 
(8 workhours  x  $60 per hour + $440 parts cost). Only the initial 
inspection and possible initial repair costs are calculated into these 
figures. The FAA has no way of determining how many repetitive 
inspections and repairs would be required on each affected airplane.
    The following cost information is for those owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes who choose to replace the outboard flap support 
roller bearings with parts of improved design rather than repetitively 
inspect these bearings. It will take approximately 3 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the replacement at approximately $60 per 
workhour. Replacement outboard flap support roller bearings cost 
approximately $1,140 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the replacement is estimated to be $1,320 per airplane. 
Raytheon will give warranty credit for replacement outboard flap 
support roller bearings until July 1999.

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) 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

99-01-03  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE 
formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
10970; Docket No. 98-CE-23-AD; Supersedes AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-
10074.

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                            Serial numbers
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1900...................................  UA-1, 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-322.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (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 the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.


[[Page 72132]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.

    Note 2: Hours time-in-service (TIS) may be substituted for 
ground-air-ground (GAG) cycles by multiplying the number of hours 
TIS by 2. For example, 1,300 hours TIS would equal 2,600 GAG cycles.

    To prevent asymmetric flaps, jammed flaps, and/or possible 
interference between the flap and the aileron, which could inhibit 
aileron travel and result in possible loss of roll control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Initially at whichever of the compliance times in paragraphs 
(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD that occurs later, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 ground-air-ground (GAG) 
cycles, inspect the outboard flap attachment brackets and roller 
bearings on both wings for visible wear and elongation of the 
bracket holes, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
section of Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique No. 137, Revision 1, 
dated December, 1997.
    (1) Upon accumulating 600 total GAG cycles;
    (2) Within 600 GAG cycles from the date of the last inspection 
required by AD 97-14-16; or
    (3) Within the next 100 GAG cycles after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (b) Prior to further flight after any inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, repair or replace any worn or damaged part 
in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to 
the Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair 
Manual P/N 114-590021-9B6, dated May 16, 1997; Reissued: June 30, 
1992.
    (c) As an alternative method of compliance to the repetitive 
inspections and possible repairs or replacements required by 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, replace the outboard flap support 
roller bearings with parts of improved design, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998. 
Replacement of the outboard flap roller bearings is considered 
terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this 
AD.
    (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.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), Room 100, 1801 Airport Road, 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 for AD 97-14-16 
(superseded by this AD) are not considered approved as alternative 
methods of compliance for this AD.
    (3) Replacing all outboard flap support roller bearings with 
parts of improved design, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions section of Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, is approved as an alternative method 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Safety Communique No. 137, 
Revision 1, dated December, 1997. The outboard flap support roller 
bearing replacements (optional) required by this AD shall be 
accomplished in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998. The repairs or replacements 
of any worn or damaged parts required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the 
Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner Series Structural Repair 
Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16, 1997; Reissued: June 30, 
1992.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft Safety 
Communique No. 137, Revision 1, dated December, 1997; and Raytheon 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3158, Issued: July, 1998, 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Aircraft 
Temporary Revision No. 57-1 to the Raytheon Aircraft Temporary 
Revision No. 57-1 to the Raytheon Aircraft Beech 1900 Airliner 
Series Structural Repair Manual P/N 114-590021-9B, dated May 16, 
1997; Reissued: June 30, 1992, was previously approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51 as of August 4, 1997 (62 FR 37128, July 11, 1997).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, 
9709 E. Central, 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.
    (g) This amendment supersedes AD 97-14-16, Amendment 39-10074.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34385 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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