Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Model 60 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 24 (Friday, February 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5710-5711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2633]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD; Amendment 39-11024; AD 99-03-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Model 
60 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Model 60 
airplanes. This AD requires modifying the aircraft cabin heat control 
wiring. This AD is the result of an incident on one of the affected 
airplanes where the circuit control that operates the aircraft cabin 
heater overheated and caused the cabin heater to shut down during in-
flight operation. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent this circuit from overheating because of the current wiring 
design, which could result in possible smoke/fire if the heating system 
continued to operate in an ``over-temperature'' condition.

DATES: Effective: March 4, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 4, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; 
telephone: (800) 625-7043 or (316) 676-4556. 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-126-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. Todd Dixon, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report of the aircraft cabin heater shutting 
down on a Raytheon Beech Model 60 airplane during in-flight operation. 
Raytheon incorporated a design change to the cabin heater circuit on 
the following airplanes: serial numbers P-159, and P-166 through P-596. 
A reconfiguration of the circuit protection that wires the 5-amp fuses 
in parallel instead of in series was part of this design change. 
Investigation of the above-referenced incident reveals that the 
incident airplane incorporated the design change and that the parallel-
wired fuses caused the electrical resistor to overheat and eventually 
caused the heater system to shut down.
    However, prior to shutting down, the heater system can operate in 
an ``over-temperature'' condition where it is possible for smoke or 
fire to occur due to the wiring and the resistor overheating.

Relevant Service Information

    Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: 
December, 1998, which specifies procedures for modifying the aircraft 
cabin heat control wiring.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, including the 
relevant service information, the FAA has determined that AD action 
should be taken to prevent the above-referenced condition from 
occurring.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Raytheon Beech Model 60 airplanes of the same 
type design, the FAA is issuing an AD. This AD requires modifying the 
aircraft cabin heat control wiring in accordance with the

[[Page 5711]]

instructions in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: 
December, 1998.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public 
prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual 
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is 
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action 
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that 
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

99-03-11  Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A12CE 
previously held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-
11024; Docket No. 98-CE-126-AD.

    Applicability: Beech Model 60 airplanes, serial numbers P-159, 
and P166 through P-596; 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 within the next 25 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent the circuit that operates the aircraft cabin heater 
from overheating because of the current wiring design, which could 
result in possible smoke/fire if the heating system continued to 
operate in an ``over-temperature'' condition, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Modify the aircraft cabin heat control wiring in accordance 
with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Raytheon Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, Issued: December, 1998.
    (b) 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.
    (c) 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. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate 
FAA 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.

    (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3097, 
Issued: December, 1998. 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. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 29, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-2633 Filed 2-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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