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

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 1998)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 20543-20544] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-11009]

======================================================================== Proposed Rules Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. ========================================================================

Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 80 / Monday, April 27, 1998 / Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-22-AD] RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede 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 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. The proposed AD would require 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 exists, as applicable. The proposed 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 the proposed 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: Comments must be received on or before June 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to 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. 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. 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:

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 statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 98-CE-22-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. 98-CE-22-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-04-02, Amendment 39-9937 (62 FR 7667, February 20, 1997), currently requires installing new exterior placards with operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency exists, as applicable, on Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. This AD was the result of an accident involving a Raytheon Model 1900C airplane that collided with another airplane while completing its landing roll. The ensuing fire destroyed both airplanes. The emergency crew was not able to open the forward (main cabin entry door) airstair door and all occupants of the airplane died. The airstair door is unlocked and opened from the outside by depressing a release button while simultaneously rotating the door handle downward. The FAA believed that the operating instructions for opening the main boarding door of this airplane were either not visible or not easily understandable.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since issuing AD 97-04-02, the FAA has received reports of the placard decals (required by AD 97-04-02) covering the atmospheric vents for the cabin door differential pressure lock. This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result in improper operation of the cabin door differential pressure lock with loss of cabin differential pressure.

Relevant Service Information

Raytheon has revised Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2741 to the Revision 1 level (Revised: May 1997). This service bulletin revision provides procedures for:

-Installing new exterior placards with operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency exits, as applicable; and -Modifying the existing exterior placards with operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo, door, and emergency exists, as applicable, that were installed in accordance with AD 97-04-02, and Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2741, Issued: February 1997.

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The FAA's Determination

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has determined that (1) the actions specified in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2741, Revision 1, Revised: May 1997, should be incorporated into AD 97-04-02; and (2) AD action should be taken 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.

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 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes of the same type design, the FAA is proposing an AD to supersede AD 97-04-02. The proposed AD would 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 actions would be required in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2741, Revision 1, Revised: May 1997.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 524 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 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 the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $33,012, or $63 per airplane.

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 14 CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): 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 Nos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1900...................................... UA-2 and UA-3. 1900C..................................... UB-1 through RB-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 (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 (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 causes 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, Revision 1, Revised: 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) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 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. (1) The request shall be forwarded through the 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 not 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.

(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the document referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, 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. (e) This amendment supersedes AD 97-04-02, Amendment 39-9937.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 17, 1998. James E. Jackson, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-11009 Filed 4-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-M