Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54517-54518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25765]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-280-AD; Amendment 39-11351; AD 99-21-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A airplanes, that 
requires replacement of the fuel drain tube assembly in the aft 
fuselage with a new, modified assembly. This amendment is prompted by a 
report of chafing of the fuel tube assembly against the elevator 
control cable due to inadequate clearance between the components. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing of the 
fuel drain tube assembly, which could result in fuel leakage from the 
fuel drain tube assembly and consequent risk of a fire.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service Engineering, 
Hawker Customer Support Department, P. O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott West, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4146; fax (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 
400A airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1999 
(64 FR 43314). That action proposed to require replacement of the fuel 
drain tube assembly in the aft fuselage with a new, modified assembly.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 92 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 72 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $21 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $36,072, or 
$501 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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.

[[Page 54518]]

    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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-21-08  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 39-
11351. Docket 98-NM-280-AD.

    Applicability: Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-1 through 
RK-92 inclusive, certificated in any category.

    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 (c) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of the fuel drain tube assembly, which could 
result in fuel leakage from the fuel drain tube assembly and 
consequent risk of fire, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) At the next scheduled inspection, but no later than 200 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
existing aft fuselage fuel drain tube assembly, part number (P/N) 
128-920151-1, with a new, modified tube assembly, P/N 128-920237-1, 
in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB.28-3076, 
dated October, 1997.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a fuel drain tube assembly, P/N 128-920151-1, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Wichita ACO.

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

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Raytheon 
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB.28-3076, dated October, 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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager 
Service Engineering, Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 
85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25765 Filed 10-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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