Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models B200, B200C, and B200T Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 3, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 63914-63916] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-31681]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD] RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models B200, B200C, and B200T Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes). The proposed AD would require replacing the wiring for the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring. The proposed AD is the result of the discovery during aircraft production of the potential for the existing engine fire detector system wiring on the affected airplanes to fail because of high heat and/or fire. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the engine fire detector system if high heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal between the engine fire detectors and the engine fire warning annunciator lights located in the cockpit, which could result in passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201- 0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randy Griffith, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4145; facsimile (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed 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, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following

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statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

Raytheon recently advised the FAA that an unsafe condition could exist on certain Raytheon Models B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes. Raytheon reports that the current wiring on a certain engine fire protection system could fail under certain conditions. When the engine fire detector system was changed from an optical system to a heat sensing system, the engine fire detector wiring was not furnished with the engine fire detector. The wiring for these new systems consisted of four wires that were routed from the engine firewall connector to the engine fire detector connector as part of each engine's wire harness assembly. In May 1997, Raytheon issued Engineering Change Record 9896 and Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1, which specifies the design and provides the procedures for replacing the existing engine fire protector system wiring with fire resistant wiring. Aircraft equipped with the heat sensing fire protector system before this change order and modification were developed utilize non- fire resistant wiring. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the engine fire detector system if high heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal between the engine fire detectors and the engine fire warning annunciator lights located in the cockpit, which could result in passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire.

Relevant Service Information

Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, Issued: May, 1997, which specifies the incorporation of Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1. This kit consists of the parts and instructions to replace the wiring for the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring.

The FAA's Determination

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the service information previously referenced, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent failure of the engine fire detector system if high heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal between the engine fire detectors and the engine fire warning annunciator lights located in the cockpit, which could result in passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other Raytheon Models B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes) of the same type design, the FAA is proposing an AD. The proposed AD would require replacing the wiring for the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring by incorporating Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1. Accomplishment of the proposed modifications would be required in accordance with the service information previously referenced.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 77 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $18,480, or $240 per airplane. These figures are based on the presumption that no owner/ operator of the affected airplanes has incorporated the proposed modification. Raytheon has informed the FAA that approximately 40 kits have been shipped from the Raytheon Aircraft Authorized Service Center. Presuming that each of the 40 kits is incorporated on an affected airplane, this would reduce the cost impact of the proposed AD by $9,600 from $18,480 to $8,880.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would 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) if promulgated, 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 draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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:

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD.

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Model Serial Nos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ B200.................................. BB-1439, BB-1444 through BB- 1447, BB-1449, BB-1450, B-1452, BB-1453, BB-1455, BB-1456, and BB-1458 through BB-1512; B200C................................. BL-139 and BL-140; B200C (C-12R)......................... BW-1 through BW-5; and B200T................................. BT-35 through BT-38. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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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 200 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent failure of the engine fire detector system if high heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal between the engine fire detectors and the engine fire warning annunciator lights located in the cockpit, which could result in passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire, accomplish the following: (a) Replace the existing engine fire protection system wiring with fire resistant wiring by incorporating Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with the instructions included with the above kit, as referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, Issued: May, 1997. (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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the document referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 26, 1997. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-31681 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U